Identification and study of a poxvirus isolated from wild rodents in Turkmenia

A new poxvirus was isolated in 1974 from the kidney of a wild big gerbil (Rhombomys opimus) caught in Turkmenia, where these gerbils are wide-spread. The virus resembles cowpox virus and is markedly different from the virus of infectious ectromelia, the best-known poxvirus of rodents. The new virus...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of virology 1978-01, Vol.56 (1-2), p.7-14
Main Authors: Marennikova, S S, Ladnyj, I D, Ogorodinikova, Z I, Shelukhina, E M, Maltseva, N N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Population Groups - microbiology
Animals
Animals, Wild - microbiology
Ectromelia virus - immunology
Gerbillinae - microbiology
Kidney - microbiology
Mice
Poxviridae - immunology
Poxviridae - isolation & purification
Poxviridae - pathogenicity
Poxviridae Infections - transmission
Rabbits
Rats
Turkmenistan
Vaccinia virus - immunology
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Summary:A new poxvirus was isolated in 1974 from the kidney of a wild big gerbil (Rhombomys opimus) caught in Turkmenia, where these gerbils are wide-spread. The virus resembles cowpox virus and is markedly different from the virus of infectious ectromelia, the best-known poxvirus of rodents. The new virus is apparently identical to other poxvirus isolates made from white rats and Felidae in the Moscow Zoo. Experimental inoculation of the natural hosts--big gerbils and yellow susliks (Citellus fulvus)--produced a severe infection with a high mortality rate. Trnasmission of virus to uninoculated cage mates was shown to occur. Virus persisted in convalescent animals and was present in urine 3 weeks after inoculation and in kidney and testis for at least 5 weeks after inoculation. The role of rodents as natural hosts of poxviruses is discussed.
ISSN:0304-8608
1432-8798
DOI:10.1007/BF01317279