Cowpox virus infection causing stillbirth in an Asian elephant (<i>Elephas maximus</i> )

Wisser, Jutta; Pilaski, J.; Strauss, G.; Meyer, Hermann; Burck, Gordon M.; Truyen, Uwe; Rudolph, Michael; Frölich, Kai

doi:10.1136/vr.149.8.244

Cited by 32 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The results in pregnant mice suggest that systemic infections with VVWR during mid-to late gestation can lead to the efficient colonization of the murine placenta and the eventual transfer of the virus to the fetus. These data complement earlier studies that have documented fetal infections in laboratory mice infected with ectromelia (mousepox) and in vaccinia virus-infected baboons and humans and a cowpox-infected African elephant (15,22,26,31). One of the issues raised by the present data is that if VVWR is so efficient in colonizing the murine placenta and spreading to the fetus, why is the incidence of fetal infection among vaccinated pregnant humans so low?…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 35%

Vaccinia Virus Infection during Murine Pregnancy: a New Pathogenesis Model for Vaccinia Fetalis

Benning

Hassett

2004

J Virol

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Vaccinia fetalis, the vertical transfer of vaccinia virus from mother to fetus, is a relatively rare but often fatal complication of primary vaccinia virus vaccination during pregnancy. To date there has been no attempt to develop an animal model to study the pathogenesis of this acute viral infection in vivo. Here we report that infection of gestating BALB/c mice by either intravenous or intraperitoneal routes with the Western Reserve strain of vaccinia virus results in the rapid colonization of the placenta and vertical transfer of virus to the developing fetus. Systemic maternal infections during gestation lead to the death of all offspring prior to or very shortly after birth. Using in situ hybridization for vaccinia virus mRNA to identify infected cells, we show that the virus initially colonizes cells lining maternal lacunae within the trophospongium layer of the placenta. The study of this model will significantly enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of fetal vaccinia virus infections and aid in the development of effective treatments designed to reduce the risk of vaccinia virusassociated complications during pregnancy.Vaccinia virus, the prototypical member of the Orthopoxvirus genus and a close relative of smallpox (variola) virus, was the live viral vaccine used in the global variola eradication campaign (8, 9). The recent decision to begin vaccinating civilian health care workers against smallpox and the outbreak of monkeypox in the American Midwest have renewed interest in the pathogenesis of acute poxvirus infections. According to present medical standards, vaccinia virus has a relatively poor safety profile and has the capacity to cause severe complications in pregnant women, very young children, and other immunocompromised individuals. An estimated 15 to 50 people/ million who receive primary vaccinia virus vaccinations will experience potentially life-threatening side effects including allergic reactions at the site of vaccination, spread of the virus to other parts of the body, and infection of the central nervous system (6). The potential for vaccine-associated complications has led the U.S. advisory committee on immunization practices to recommend that infants under 1 year of age and adults with weakened immune systems or those with preexisting skin conditions such as eczema or atopic dermatitis not be routinely vaccinated in the absence of clear exposure to either smallpox or monkeypox (3). In addition, the advisory committee has also recommended against vaccinating pregnant women or women who are attempting to become pregnant due to the potential for vertical transmission of vaccinia virus from mother to fetus (3,4,30). Currently there have been fewer than 50 documented cases in the medical literature of vertical transfer of vaccinia virus during pregnancy, most of which resulted in the death of the affected offspring (11-13, 20, 21, 29). Unfortunately our knowledge of the pathological consequences of vaccinia virus infections during pregnancy has been limited by the lack of an app...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 35%

Vaccinia Virus Infection during Murine Pregnancy: a New Pathogenesis Model for Vaccinia Fetalis

Benning

Hassett

2004

J Virol

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“…Manidae and Hystricidae) limits assessment of their zoonotic risk to humans. Utilising data from captive wild animal populations may overestimate the zoonotic importance of some pathogens, since environmental conditions in captivity can increase the likelihood of infection, as illustrated by circus elephants infected with Cowpox virus (Kurth et al 2008;Hemmer et al 2010) related to their exposure to hay or straw contaminated with rodent excretions (Wisser et al 2001). To overcome these limitations, future research should survey free-ranging wild animal populations in this region for zoonotic pathogens.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Zoonotic Infection Risks Associated with the Wild Meat Trade in Malaysia

2017

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The overhunting of wildlife for food and commercial gain presents a major threat to biodiversity in tropical forests and poses health risks to humans from contact with wild animals. Using a recent survey of wildlife offered at wild meat markets in Malaysia as a basis, we review the literature to determine the potential zoonotic infection risks from hunting, butchering and consuming the species offered. We also determine which taxa potentially host the highest number of pathogens and discuss the significant disease risks from traded wildlife, considering how cultural practices influence zoonotic transmission. We identify 51 zoonotic pathogens (16 viruses, 19 bacteria and 16 parasites) potentially hosted by wildlife and describe the human health risks. The Suidae and the Cervidae families potentially host the highest number of pathogens. We conclude that there are substantial gaps in our knowledge of zoonotic pathogens and recommend performing microbial food safety risk assessments to assess the hazards of wild meat consumption. Overall, there may be considerable zoonotic risks to people involved in the hunting, butchering or consumption of wild meat in Southeast Asia, and these should be considered in public health strategies.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10393-017-1229-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…Several often fatal infections among zoo and circus elephants have been reported mainly from Germany (Table 1). As a consequence, elephants are routinely vaccinated with the attenuated modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) strain of vaccinia virus [3], [4]. For other exotic zoo animals, very little is known about successful vaccination and immune response to a vaccinia cowpox infection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cowpox Virus Outbreak in Banded Mongooses (Mungos mungo) and Jaguarundis (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) with a Time-Delayed Infection to Humans

Kurth

Straube²,

Kuczka³

et al. 2009

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundOften described as an extremely rare zoonosis, cowpox virus (CPXV) infections are on the increase in Germany. CPXV is rodent-borne with a broad host range and contains the largest and most complete genome of all poxviruses, including parts with high homology to variola virus (smallpox). So far, most CPXV cases have occurred individually in unvaccinated animals and humans and were caused by genetically distinguishable virus strains.Methodology/Principal FindingsGeneralized CPXV infections in banded mongooses (Mungos mungo) and jaguarundis (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) at a Zoological Garden were observed with a prevalence of the affected animal group of 100% and a mortality of 30%. A subsequent serological investigation of other exotic animal species provided evidence of subclinical cases before the onset of the outbreak. Moreover, a time-delayed human cowpox virus infection caused by the identical virus strain occurred in a different geographical area indicating that handling/feeding food rats might be the common source of infection.Conclusions/SignificanceReports on the increased zoonotic transmission of orthopoxviruses have renewed interest in understanding interactions between these viruses and their hosts. The list of animals known to be susceptible to CPXV is still growing. Thus, the likely existence of unknown CPXV hosts and their distribution may present a risk for other exotic animals but also for the general public, as was shown in this outbreak. Animal breeders and suppliers of food rats represent potential multipliers and distributors of CPXV, in the context of increasingly pan-European trading. Taking the cessation of vaccination against smallpox into account, this situation contributes to the increased incidence of CPXV infections in man, particularly in younger age groups, with more complicated courses of clinical infections.

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Cowpox virus infection causing stillbirth in an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus )

Cited by 32 publications

References 12 publications

Vaccinia Virus Infection during Murine Pregnancy: a New Pathogenesis Model for Vaccinia Fetalis

Vaccinia Virus Infection during Murine Pregnancy: a New Pathogenesis Model for Vaccinia Fetalis

A Review of Zoonotic Infection Risks Associated with the Wild Meat Trade in Malaysia

Cowpox Virus Outbreak in Banded Mongooses (Mungos mungo) and Jaguarundis (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) with a Time-Delayed Infection to Humans

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