Abstract
Volepox virus (VPXV) was first isolated in 1985 from a hind foot scab of an otherwise healthy California vole (Microtus californicus). Subsequent surveys in San Mateo County, CA, revealed serological evidence suggesting that VPXV is endemic to this area, and a second viral isolate from a Pinyon mouse (Peromyscus truei) was collected in 1988. Since then, few studies have been conducted regarding the ecology, pathology, and pathogenicity of VPXV, and its prevalence and role as a potential zoonotic agent remain unknown. To increase our understanding of VPXV disease progression, we challenged 24 California mice (Peromyscus californicus) intranasally with 1.6×103 PFU of purified VPXV. By day five post infection (pi) we observed decreased activity level, conjunctivitis, ruffled hair, skin lesions, facial edema, and crusty noses. A mortality rate of 54% was noted by day eight pi. In addition, internal organ necrosis and hemorrhages were observed during necropsy of deceased or euthanized animals. Viral loads in tissues (brain, gonad, kidney, liver, lung, spleen, submandibular lymph node, and adrenal gland), bodily secretions (saliva, and tears), and excretions (urine, and/or feces) were evaluated and compared using real time-PCR and tissue culture. Viral loads measured as high as 2×109 PFU/mL in some organs. Our results suggest that VPXV can cause extreme morbidity and mortality within rodent populations sympatric with the known VPXV reservoirs.
Highlights
The genus Orthopoxvirus (OPXV) is the most important member of the family Poxviridae in terms of public health and includes viruses associated with severe febrile, rash illness in humans: Variola virus, Monkeypox virus, Vaccinia virus, and Cowpox virus [1,2,3,4,5]
The rest of the California mice (10 animals) recovered uneventfully from Volepox virus (VPXV) infection and were included in an oral rabies recombinant vaccine study; they were euthanized at days 35 (n = 2), 42 (n = 3), 49 (n = 3) or 56 (n = 2) post VPXV infection
The disease progression was acute, with a mortality rate of 54%; survivors began to recover by day eight and no viable virus was detectable by day 21
Summary
The genus Orthopoxvirus (OPXV) is the most important member of the family Poxviridae in terms of public health and includes viruses associated with severe febrile, rash illness in humans: Variola virus, Monkeypox virus, Vaccinia virus, and Cowpox virus [1,2,3,4,5]. The last few decades have seen the description of three OPXVs from North America named after the mammal species in which they were originally isolated: Raccoonpox virus, Skunkpox virus, and Volepox virus [6,7,8,9,10,11]. Volepox virus (VPXV) was first isolated in June of 1985 from a hind foot scab of a healthy California vole (Microtus californicus) in San Mateo County, CA [10]. Serological evidence for the endemicity of VPXV in the San Francisco Bay region was obtained through testing (hemagglutinin inhibition antibody titers) vole serum sampled between 1983 and 1986 from separate populations in Marin, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties [10]. A second identical isolate was obtained from a Pinyon mouse (Peromyscus truei) scab in 1988 on the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve suggesting that the virus is endemic to this region [9]
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