Epidemiology of Camelpox: New Aspects

Abstract

After the abolition of the mandatory smallpox vaccination, the humanity lost the immunity not only to smallpox, but also to infections caused by pathogens of this family (Orthopoxvirus): monkeypox, cowpox, buffalo pox, camelpox. Since the camelpox and African gerbil viruses are the closest to the variola virus (genomic homology is 97%) in phylogenetic and genetic terms, it cannot be ruled out that a mutation in a small fragment of the genome of one of these viruses will lead to the replacement of a relatively safe virus with an epidemically dangerous pathogen. The purpose of is article is to summarize materials on the study of camelpox virus. The sources for this research is scientific articles and other English-language literature available via the Internet. The research method is an analysis of scientific sources on camelpox from the general to the specific. The authors considered the epizootic danger of the virus, its virulence for humans, phylogenetic relationship with other orthopoxviruses, means of specific prevention and treatment of camel pox in camels. The discussion and the results. The causative agent of camelpox causes a nodular-pastular rash on the skin and mucous membranes in Camelus dromedaries and Camelus bactrianus. The disease is contagious, and its epizootics lead to significant economic damage. From December 2008 to May 2009, several laboratory-confirmed cases of camelpox in humans were reported in India, Somalia and eastern Sudan. Nowadays for the identification of the camelpox virus, a RT-PCR test system with primers for the C18L gene is usually offered, which detects only this virus. The established host range of the virus is limited to one animal - the camel. To treat sick camels, chemotherapy drugs are used: cidofovir and tocoverimate (ST-246). For immunoprophylaxis, live and inactivated vaccines are used. The conclusion. Camelpox virus poses a risk to humans in regions where people raise camels and are in close contact with them. The immunodeficient populations of people may serve as an additional «window» for the penetration of this virus into human society. The genetic variability of the virus and the plasticity of its genome make it possible to obtain virus strains with altered properties. Synthetic biology methods create a risk, through small substitutions in the genome of the virus, of turning it into an epidemic danger for humans. Constant monitoring of this disease is necessary, since there is a danger of the transmission of camelpox from Kazakhstan to areas bordering the Russian Federation.