Poxviruses Overview and Taxonomy

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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic feature of poxviruses?

  • They replicate in the nucleus of the host cell
  • They are typically transmitted through inhalation or contact (correct)
  • They contain segmented RNA genomes
  • They are small and simple viruses

Which of the following poxviruses is known to be eradicated?

  • Cowpox
  • Monkeypox
  • Smallpox (correct)
  • Molluscum contagiosum

Which genera of the Poxviridae family infect humans?

  • Orthopoxvirus, Hepatitisvirus, Yatapoxvirus, and Parapoxvirus
  • Micropoxvirus, Metapoxvirus, Orthopoxvirus, and Parapoxvirus
  • Orthopoxvirus, Molluscipoxvirus, Yatapoxvirus, and Parapoxvirus (correct)
  • Molluscipoxvirus, Entomopoxvirus, Yatapoxvirus, and Parapoxvirus

Which type of genetic material do poxviruses possess?

<p>Linear non-segmented dsDNA (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary natural host of the Monkeypox virus?

<p>Rodents (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do poxviruses exit the host cell upon replication?

<p>Lysis and exocytosis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When was the first human case of Monkeypox detected?

<p>1970 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common method of entry for poxviruses into host cells?

<p>Macropinocytosis or fusion (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Poxviruses

  • Large and complex viruses that infect humans and animals.
  • Typically present with skin lesions.
  • Transmitted through inhalation, direct contact with infected animals or humans, or contact with contaminated fomites.
  • Examples: Smallpox (now eradicated), Monkeypox, Molluscum contagiosum.

Viral Characteristics

  • Large and complex virions (200 nm diameter).
  • Brick or oval shape.
  • Enveloped (mature virions are also infectious).
  • Linear, non-segmented, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome, approximately 200kb long.
  • Codes for over 100 polypeptides with diverse functions.
  • Replicates in the cytoplasm.

Taxonomy

  • Family: Poxviridae.
  • Four genera (out of 22) infect humans.
    • Orthopoxvirus: Variola (Smallpox), Monkeypox, Camelpox, Cowpox, Vaccinia.
    • Molluscipoxvirus: Molluscum contagiosum.
    • Yatapoxvirus: Tanapox.
    • Parapoxvirus: Orf virus, Pseudocowpox virus.

Replication

  • Replicates in the cytoplasm.
  • Carries a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase for replication.
  • Entry: Fusion or macropinocytosis.
  • Early phase: Production of viral replication promoters.
  • Intermediate phase: Production of replication enzymes.
  • Late phase: Production of structural proteins.
  • Exit: Lysis, exocytosis, and extrusion (actin tail assembly).

Monkeypox Virus

  • Belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus (same family as Smallpox).
  • First identified in 1958 in monkeys.
  • Natural host is most likely rodents.
  • First human case detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1970.
  • Endemic in Central and West Africa.
  • Few isolated cases outside Africa until the 2022 outbreak, which resulted in thousands of cases globally.

Monkeypox Virus Distribution

  • As of November 2022, there were over 77,000 cases of Monkeypox globally.

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