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Vaccines (Basel) 2020 Jun 10;8(2). Epub 2020 Jun 10.

Department of Immunology, Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.

The potency of viral vector-based vaccines depends on their ability to induce strong transgene-specific immune response without triggering anti-vector immunity. Previously, (ORFV, ) strain D1701-V was reported as a novel vector mediating protection against viral infections. The short-lived ORFV-specific immune response and the absence of virus neutralizing antibodies enables repeated immunizations and enhancement of humoral immune responses against the inserted antigens. Read More

BMC Res Notes 2020 Jun 8;13(1):276. Epub 2020 Jun 8.

Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University Basel, Socinstrasse 57, 4051, Basel, Switzerland.

Objectives: Distinct diseases prevent endangered huemul deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus) recovery. Fundamental etiological factors include nutriments, a mayor component of habitat quality. Undernutrition affects growth, skeletal development, osteopathology, reproduction and immunocompetence: this paper amplifies data corroborating micro-nutrient deficiencies among huemul. Read More

Res Vet Sci 2020 Feb 13. Epub 2020 Feb 13.

State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China. Electronic address:

Orf virus (ORFV) is known for its immunostimulatory capacities and has been utilized as an efficient viral vector vaccine in non-permissive host species. Murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) are able to react with ORFV. In this study, we aimed to identify pivotal differentially expressed proteins involved in the process of DCs' differentiation in response to ORFV. Read More

Front Vet Sci 2020 30;7:229. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica Diagnostica e Sperimentale, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

The mountain chain of the Alps, represents the habitat of alpine fauna where the red deer () population is the outmost numerous, followed by the chamois () and the alpine ibex () at higher altitudes. Previous reports showed the circulation of epitheliotropic viruses, belonging to the families and , causing skin and mucosal lesions in wild ruminants of the Stelvio National Park, situated in the area. To deepen our knowledge on the natural dynamics of the infections, a passive surveillance on all the cases of proliferative skin and mucosal lesions in wild ruminants was performed. Read More

Front Vet Sci 2020 24;7:188. Epub 2020 Apr 24.

Laboratory of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.

Orf virus is a prototype species of the genus , subfamily , family . Japanese orf viruses, infecting sheep and wild Japanese serows (), have been considered to be genetically closely related based on the sequence identities of the open reading frames (ORFs) 11, 20, and 132 in their genomes. However, since the genome size of orf viruses is about 140 kbp long, genetic variation among Japanese orf viruses remains unclear. Read More

Microorganisms 2020 Apr 28;8(5). Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Center for Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.

The molecular identification of arboviruses in West Africa is of particular interest, due to their zoonotic potential in a population living in close contact with livestock, and in a region where the livestock migration across borders raises the risk of diseases infection and dissemination. The aim of the study was the screening of potential circulating arboviruses and the assessment of their zoonotic implications. Therefore, ticks were collected on cattle located in three provinces of eastern Burkina Faso. Read More

J Clin Med 2020 Apr 11;9(4). Epub 2020 Apr 11.

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.

Orf virus (OV) is a zoonotic parapoxvirus that causes highly proliferative skin lesions which resolve with minimal inflammation and scarring. OV encodes two immunomodulators, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-E and interleukin-10 (ovIL-10), which individually modulate skin repair and inflammation. This study examined the effects of the VEGF-E and ovIL-10 combination on healing processes in a murine wound model. Read More

Heliyon 2020 Mar 21;6(3):e03595. Epub 2020 Mar 21.

Veterinary Laboratories Division, Animal Wealth Sector, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority P. O. Box 52150, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

In this study, livestock herders in eastern Sudan were interviewed through structured questionnaire involved 14046 animals in 151 herds (87 camel herds, 51 sheep and 13 goats) from June to September of 2016 in Showak area of Gadarif State to get some epidemiological information on contagious ecthyma (CE) infection. 102 suspected cases of CE were investigated (38 sheep, 22 goats and 42 camels) by a second questionnaire focusing on age and sex of affected animals beside number and localization of the lesions. Representative tissue samples of scab lesion scrapings were collected from a total of 36 suspected sheep, goats and camels for DNA extraction to identify PPV by quantitative real-time PCR and gel-based PCR, then a PCR protocol was used to obtain DNA fragment of B2L gene from six DNAs (2 from each animal species) for sequencing. Read More

Microb Pathog 2020 Jun 10;143:104122. Epub 2020 Mar 10.

Virology Section, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Electronic address:

We studied the pathogenesis of Pseudocowpox virus (PCPV), a zoonotic parapoxvirus associated with mucocutaneous lesions in cattle. Inoculation of calves with PCPV isolate SD 76-65 intranasally (n = 6) or transdermally in the muzzle (n = 2) resulted in virus replication and shedding up to day 13 post-infection (pi). No local or systemic signs were observed in inoculated calves up to day 20pi, when the clinical monitoring was discontinued. Read More

Virus Res 2020 May 29;281:197908. Epub 2020 Feb 29.

Division of Virology, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar, Uttarakhand, India. Electronic address:

Orf, a poxviral skin infection of small ruminants is caused by orf virus (ORFV) of the genus Parapoxvirus of the Poxviridae family. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important virulence factor that is responsible for proliferative lesions in parapoxviral infections. VEGF gene shows high intra- and inter-species variability. Read More

Transbound Emerg Dis 2020 Jan 23. Epub 2020 Jan 23.

UnB, Laboratório de Diagnóstico Patológico Veterinário, Brasília, Brazil.

A retrospective study of officially diagnosed poxvirus infections in cattle in Distrito Federal (DF), Brazil, between 2015 and 2018 was performed. All cases were investigated by the DF Official Veterinary Service. In the most cases, samples of oral, cutaneous (teats, udder) or foot lesions were submitted to molecular diagnosis by PCR. Read More

Acta Dermatovenerol Croat 2019 Dec;27(4):280-281

Luis Santiago, MD, Dermatology Department Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Prof. Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal;

Dear Editor, Orf, also called contagious ecthyma, contagious pustular dermatitis, sore mouth, or scabby mouth, is a highly contagious zoonotic disease which is caused by a double-stranded DNA virus, ORFV (Parapoxvirus genus of the family Poxviridae) (1). The infection is endemic to sheep and goats, and humans are infected either through direct transmission from active lesions on infected animals or through contact with fomites (2). Orf is an occupational hazard and the population at risk includes shepherds, butchers, farmers, wool shearers, and veterinarians (2,3). Read More

Vet Ital 2019 12 31;55(4):347-353. Epub 2019 Dec 31.

Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121 Foggia.

Orf virus (ORFV; Family: Poxviridae) is the causative agent of contagious ecthyma, or Orf disease in sheep, goats and other domestic or wild ruminants with a worldwide distribution. The disease is endemic in Italy, but few data are available about its distribution and epidemiology. In the present study we analysed 32 clinical samples, obtained from crusted scab lesions of 5 goats and 27 sheep, from 19 suspected outbreaks of contagious ecthyma in Apulia and Basilicata regions between 2012 and 2014. Read More

J Gen Virol 2020 Jan 10. Epub 2020 Jan 10.

Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany.

Cases of pox-like lesions in horses and donkeys have been associated with poxviruses belonging to different genera of the family . These include the orthopoxviruses vaccinia virus (VACV), horsepoxvirus (HPXV) and cowpoxvirus (CPXV), as well as a potentially novel parapoxvirus and molluscum contagiosum virus (MOCV). However, with the exception of VACV, HPXV and CPXV, the genomic characterization of the causative agents remains largely elusive with only single short genome fragments available. Read More

BMC Biotechnol 2019 12 23;19(1):102. Epub 2019 Dec 23.

College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi Province, China.

Background: Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is an important mediator of type I immune response and has antiviral, immunoregulatory and anti-tumor properties, plays a wide range of roles in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to obtain monoclonal antibody (mAb) against caprine IFN-γ by immunizing of BALB/c mice with the purified rIFN-γ.

Results: Recombinant caprine IFN-γ was expressed in Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3) and monoclonal antibodies against caprine IFN-γ were produced by immunizing of BALB/c mice with rIFN-γ. Read More

PLoS One 2019 5;14(12):e0226105. Epub 2019 Dec 5.

Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.

Due to the limited host range of orf virus (ORFV), primary cells derived from its natural hosts, such as goats and sheep, are recommended for isolation and propagation of wild type ORFV. This situation limits the option for the study of virus-host interaction during ORFV infection since primary cells only support a few numbers of passages. SV40 T antigen is a viral oncoprotein that can abrogate replicative senescence, leading to an extended life span of cells. Read More

N Z Med J 2019 11 8;132(1506):93-95. Epub 2019 Nov 8.

Dermatology, Waikato District Health Board, Hamilton.

Emerg Infect Dis 2019 12;25(12):2197-2204

Zoonotic transmission of parapoxvirus from animals to humans has been reported; clinical manifestations are skin lesions on the fingers and hands after contact with infected animals. We report a human infection clinically suspected as being ecthyma contagiosum. The patient, a 65-year-old woman, had 3 nodules on her hands. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 11 7;9(1):16262. Epub 2019 Nov 7.

Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.

Orf is a highly contagious zoonotic disease of small ruminants caused by Parapoxvirus. Kisspeptin, encoded by the KISS1 gene with its cognate receptor GPR-54 is recognized as an upstream orchestrator in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This study was designed to construct a DNA vaccine that produces a fused peptide composed of a major immunodominant protein of the orf virus (B2L) and kisspeptin-54, a neuropeptide with recognized roles in mammalian reproductive biology. Read More

Infect Genet Evol 2020 01 31;77:104076. Epub 2019 Oct 31.

Virology Unit, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. Electronic address:

There is a little information on the characterization of Orf virus strains that are endemic in Malaysia. The relationship between the severity of disease and the molecular genetic profile of Orf virus strains has not been fully elucidated. This study documented the first confirmed report of contagious ecthyma causing by Orf virus in goats from a selected state of eastern peninsular Malaysia. Read More

Acta Virol 2019 ;63(3):270-277

Orf, also called contagious ecthyma or contagious pustular dermatitis, is a significant zoonotic disease that primarily affects goat and sheep globally. Currently, the infection by orf virus (ORFV) has been observed in different host species worldwide, including China. Here, a suspected outbreak of orf infection in a goat farm in Anhui Province in 2018 was investigated. Read More

Trop Anim Health Prod 2020 Jan 29;52(1):453-459. Epub 2019 Jul 29.

Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), INTA, Consejo Nacional de investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Argentina.

Bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV) is a parapoxvirus associated with papular and erosive lesions on the muzzle, lips, and oral mucosa of cattle. BPSV infection occurs worldwide; however, it has still not been unequivocally diagnosed. The present report describes an outbreak of BPSV infection affecting dairy calves in northwestern Argentina and provides the first molecular characterization of this virus in the country. Read More

Vet Rec 2019 09 20;185(10):305. Epub 2019 Jul 20.

School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.

Orf, a parapoxvirus, is a zoonosis causing a contagious pustular dermatitis, and has a high morbidity in sheep worldwide. Despite a vaccine being available, orf prevalence in England is estimated to be 2 per cent in ewes and 20 per cent in lambs​​. There is concern that farmers are not complying with the vaccination guidelines and therefore the objective of this study was to investigate if orf vaccine is used correctly on sheep farms in the UK and to identify barriers and motivators of sheep farmers to use the vaccine. Read More

BMC Vet Res 2019 Jul 18;15(1):250. Epub 2019 Jul 18.

Virology Unit, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Background: Orf virus causes a scabby skin lesions which decreases productivity in small ruminants. The unknown status of this disease in the eastern region of Peninsular Malaysia warrants a study to determine sero-prevalence of orf with regards to farmers' compliance level towards the Herd Health Program (HHP) programme.

Results: Out of 504 animals, 115 were positive for Orf-virus antibodies. Read More

Emerg Infect Dis 2019 08;25(8):1585-1586

Orf (ecthyma contagiosum) is an infection of the skin caused by a DNA virus belonging to the genus Parapoxvirus. We recently observed 7 cases of orf in Muslim men living in the metropolitan area of Milan, Italy, who acquired the infection after the Feast of Sacrifice. Read More

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2019 Aug 26;65:1-6. Epub 2019 Mar 26.

Department of Virology, Veterinary Faculty, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya, 31040 Hatay, Turkey. Electronic address:

Orf virus (ORFV) causes contagious skin disease that mainly affects sheep and goats with zoonotic potential. However, there is not enough information about the association between ORFV and occurrence of skin disease in cattle. The present study describes outbreaks of ORFV infection in cattle in different provinces that are located in the Aegean, Central Anatolian and Mediterranean regions of Turkey. Read More

Front Microbiol 2019 25;10:1421. Epub 2019 Jun 25.

Virus Research Unit, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Parapoxvirus of red deer in New Zealand (PVNZ) is a species of the genus that causes pustular dermatitis. We identified a cluster of genes in PVNZ that encode three unique chemokine-binding proteins (CBPs) namely ORF112.0, ORF112. Read More

JAAD Case Rep 2019 Jun 12;5(6):566-567. Epub 2019 Jun 12.

Department of Dermatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Ann Dermatol Venereol 2019 May 9;146(5):387-398. Epub 2019 May 9.

Service de dermatologie, Hôpital Henri-Mondor, AP-HP, 51, avenue du Maréchal-de-Lattre-de-Tassigny, 94010 Créteil, France. Electronic address:

Poxvirus (PXV) infections are a common cause of cutaneous signs. In France, certain forms of poxvirus are frequent and benign (molluscum contagiosum), while others are rare but potentially serious (cowpox virus [CPXV]). Whereas only smallpox and molluscum contagiosum viruses have a human reservoir and are transmitted between humans, most poxvirus infections are zoonoses having only animal reservoirs. Read More

Front Vet Sci 2019 18;6:126. Epub 2019 Apr 18.

Kungsängens Gård, Farm and Animal Health, Uppsala, Sweden.

Supplementary winter feeding of semi-domesticated reindeer () has become more common in Sweden and Norway due to reindeer pasture fragmentation and climatic conditions. With increased corralling and feeding, often associated with animal stress, increased animal-to-animal contact, and poor hygienic conditions, an altered range of health challenges and diseases may emerge. An outbreak of three different infectious diseases appeared simultaneously in a reindeer herd in Norrbotten County, Sweden. Read More

Virus Genes 2019 Aug 27;55(4):490-501. Epub 2019 Apr 27.

Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.

Orf virus (ORFV), a typical member of the Parapoxvirus genus within the family Poxviridae, which is the causative agent of Orf, a common epitheliotropic viral disease of sheep, goats, wild ruminants, and humans. In the present study, we sequenced the complete genomic sequences of two ORFV strains (ORFV-SY17, isolated from sheep, and ORFV-NA17, isolated from goat) and conducted the comparative analysis of multiple ORFVs. The complete genomic sequence of ORFV-SY17 was at length of 140,413 bp, including 131 potential open reading frames (ORFs) flanked by inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) of 4267 bp at both ends. Read More

PLoS One 2019 17;14(4):e0213667. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, United States of America.

The huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) is an endangered cervid endemic to southern Argentina and Chile. Here we report foot lesions in 24 huemul from Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, Chile, between 2005 and 2010. Affected deer displayed variably severe clinical signs, including lameness and soft tissue swelling of the limbs proximal to the hoof or in the interdigital space, ulceration of the swollen tissues, and some developed severe proliferative tissue changes that caused various types of abnormal wear, entrapment, and/or displacement of the hooves and/or dewclaws. Read More

Cytokine 2019 08 13;120:15-21. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

Division of Virology, ICAR-IVRI, Mukteswar 263 138, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. Electronic address:

Orf is a contagious disease posing a serious threat to animal and human health. E3L is one of the evolutionarily acquired immunomodulatory proteins present in orf virus (ORFV) and is responsible for conferring resistance to interferons among poxviruses. Genetic analysis of ORFV isolates of different geographical regions including Indian subcontinent targeting viral interferon resistance (VIR) gene (a homolog of vaccinia virus E3L gene) revealed a high percentage of identity among themselves and other ORFV isolates at both nt and aa levels as compared to low identity among parapoxviruses (PPVs). Read More

Arch Virol 2019 May 7;164(5):1441-1444. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College, Weifang, 261061, China.

To date, there have been no reports of coinfection with bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV) and bovine papillomavirus (BPV) in the same lesion. In the present study, one lingual papilloma-like sample was collected at an abattoir from the tongue of a 31-month-old Japanese black cow. Coinfection with BPSV and BPV was confirmed by histopathology, immunohistochemistry, PCR and RT-PCR. Read More

Braz J Microbiol 2019 Apr 5;50(2):565-569. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Ruta 50 Km 11, La Estanzuela, Colonia, Uruguay.

Orf virus (ORFV) causes contagious ecthyma (CE), a highly transmissible, zoonotic disease of small ruminants. CE most commonly affects lambs and unvaccinated sheep. This work reports epidemiologic, clinicopathologic, and virologic findings in a CE outbreak in a vaccinated sheep flock in Uruguay and failure to detect ORFV in a commercial vaccine. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2019 03;180(3):e67

Section of Clinical, Allergological and Venereological Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, 06156, Perugia, Italy.

Viruses 2019 01 30;11(2). Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Interfaculty Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.

The (ORFV; ) strain D1701 with an attenuated phenotype and excellent immunogenic capacity is successfully used for the generation of recombinant vaccines against different viral infections. Adaption for growth in Vero cells was accompanied by additional major genomic changes resulting in ORFV strain variant D1701-V. In this study, restriction enzyme mapping, blot hybridization and DNA sequencing of the deleted region s (A, AT and D) in comparison to the predecessor strain D1701-B revealed the loss of 7 open reading frames (ORF008, ORF101, ORF102, ORF114, ORF115, ORF116, ORF117). Read More

PLoS One 2019 30;14(1):e0210504. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Institute of Immunology/Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.

ORF virus (ORFV) is the causative agent of contagious ecthyma, a pustular dermatitis of small ruminants and humans. Even though the development of lesions caused by ORFV was extensively studied in animals, only limited knowledge exists about the lesion development in human skin. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a three-dimensional (3D) organotypic culture (OTC) as a human skin model for ORFV infection considering lesion development, replication of the virus, viral gene transcription and modulation of differentiation of human keratinocytes by ORFV. Read More

J Vet Med Sci 2019 Mar 22;81(3):440-443. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Laboratory of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.

We detected parapoxviruses from environmental samples and calves with and without intraoral clinical signs and conducted molecular and serological analyses. Pseudocowpox virus (PCPV) was detected from a calf showing anorexia, frothy salivation, and erosion in the mucosa of the lip and tongue. At the time that PCPV was detected, bovine papular stomatitis viruses (BPSVs) were detected in environmental samples as well as in calves without intraoral clinical signs. Read More

J Virol 2019 04 21;93(7). Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Public Health, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

Orf virus (ORFV) infects sheep and goats and is also an important zoonotic pathogen. The viral protein OV20.0 has been shown to suppress innate immunity by targeting the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated protein kinase (PKR) by multiple mechanisms. Read More

BMC Vet Res 2019 Jan 7;15(1):13. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Science, Lanzhou, 730046, China.

Background: Contagious ecthyma (CE) appears in the countries and regions containing goat and sheep farms, and it is considered a global epidemic. CE not only severely endangers the healthy development of the sheep and goat industries but also threatens human health. For viral infectious diseases, fast and effective isolation and culture of the pathogen is critical for CE diagnosis, and for disease prevention and control. Read More

Xi Bao Yu Fen Zi Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi 2018 Nov;34(11):1036-1040

College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Anhui province key laboratory of veterinary pathobiology and disease control, Hefei 230036, China. *Corresponding author, E-mail:

Objective To obtain the envelope protein B2L of orf virus(ORFV) and prepare highly specific polyclonal antibody against B2L. Methods The B2L gene was amplified by PCR, and subcloned into the vectors pET-32a and p3×FLAG-CMV-14, pET-32a-B2L followed by expression of B2L protein in E.coli, and induction of the target protein by IPTG, purification by urea solution and identification via Western blot analysis. Read More

Exp Dermatol 2019 02;28(2):142-151

Institute of Immunology/Molecular Pathogenesis, Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.

Orf virus (Parapoxvirus ovis, ORFV) is a dermatotropic virus causing pustular dermatitis in small ruminants and humans. We analysed isolated human primary keratinocytes (KC) and dermal fibroblasts (FB) for cell death and virus replication by infection with a patient-derived ORFV isolate. ORFV infection was associated with rapid induction of cell death in KC allowing for considerable virus removal. Read More

MMW Fortschr Med 2018 12;160(21-22):51

Open Vet J 2018 19;8(2):208-211. Epub 2018 Jun 19.

National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria.

Camel contagious ecthyma (CCE) is a viral disease of camelids that is caused by a Parapoxvirus (PPV) which is a DNA virus of the viral family: . Diseases affecting camels in Nigeria are scarcely reported. CCE or the laboratory detection of camel PPV (CPPV) has not been reported in Nigeria. Read More

Rev Med Virol 2019 01 28;29(1):e2013. Epub 2018 Oct 28.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Stomatology and Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China.

The orf virus (ORFV) is a zoonotic, epitheliotropic, DNA parapoxvirus that infects principally sheep and goats. Exposure of animals to the virus or immunization by an ORFV preparation can accentuate the severity of disease, which has provoked an interest in the underlying cellular, virological, and molecular mechanisms. The identified ORFV virulence genes and the fact that the virus can repeatedly infect a host, owing to its evasive mechanisms, contribute to the development of potent immune modulators in various animal species. Read More

Environ Pollut 2019 Jan 3;244:9-18. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

Norwegian Polar Institute, FRAM Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway. Electronic address:

This study investigated relationships between organohalogen compound (OHC) exposure, feeding habits, and pathogen exposure in a recovering population of Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) from the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. Various samples were collected from 39 free-living, apparently healthy, adult male walruses immobilised at three sampling locations during the summers of 2014 and 2015. Concentrations of lipophilic compounds (polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides and polybrominated diphenyl ethers) were analysed in blubber samples, and concentrations of perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) were determined in plasma samples. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2018 09;179(3):e132

Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.

J Pathog 2018 1;2018:9207576. Epub 2018 Aug 1.

Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Orf is a clinical manifestation of parapoxvirus infection often fatal in goats and sheep especially when they are under stress or influenced by unfavorable environment. This study investigated the pathogenicity of two Orf virus isolates (ORFV UPM1/14 and UPM2/14) and host response in mouse model by using different inoculation sites with/without prior exposure to dexamethasone. Treatments with dexamethasone served as an immunosuppressant that may mimic stress situation in affected animals. Read More

J Virol Methods 2018 11 24;261:112-120. Epub 2018 Aug 24.

ICAR- National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru, 560064, Karnataka, India.

Orf or contagious ecthyma, is a highly contagious transboundary disease of sheep and goats. For sero-diagnosis of orf, recombinant antigen based assays are considered as alternatives to conventional approaches such as serum neutralization test (SNT) and counter-immuno-electrophoresis (CIE). A major envelope protein of orf virus (ORFV), F1L, is highly immunogenic and is a candidate for use in these assays. Read More