title: Molecular diagnostics of parapox virus infections.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of parapox virus infections relies primarily on a history of contact with infected animals. The clinical presentation is usually a non-specific necrotic ulcer. The histology may also be non-specific, especially with older lesions. Negative-staining electron microscopy (EM) is a fast and reliable diagnostic tool, but is not widely available. Serological tests and the time-consuming viral culture are also rarely used in Europe.
  
  
  METHODS
  The diagnostic procedure in two patients with ecthyma contagiosum and milker's nodule using polymerase chain reaction specific for orthopox, parapox and Orf virus is explained. Diagnostics included bacterial culture, viral culture, histology and EM. In addition to these, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed in both cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient with ecthyma contagiosum was negative for ortho-, parapox-, and orf-virus on PCR, whereas the patient with milker's nodule had a PCR positive for parapoxvirus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCR is a simple, fast, and standardized method of diagnosis that can distinguish between the subgroups of parapoxviruses. A diagnosis can be made even in cases of ambiguous history or unspecific clinical presentation. The method is limited by the necessity to sample native material or to use neutrally buffered formalin in case of PCR from paraffin material.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Zurich University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Töndury
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kühne
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kutzner
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palmedo
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lautenschlager
authors.forename: Siegfried
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Borelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004474:Ecthyma, Contagious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D009923:Orf virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018157:Parapoxvirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011213:Poxviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral