Does Orf (Pacha boil) affect housewives?

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Orf is a disease caused by Parapox virus. It affects butchers, farmers, shepherds, and veterinarians. Orf progresses through six clinical stages. In some Arab countries, housewives purchase sheep's head and trotters for cooking Pacha dishes. This study was aimed to learn the clinical presentations and complications of Orf disease and to identify the relationship with various occupations. Methods: This case-control study including 70 patients with Orf disease, and 80 control individuals was carried out in Anbar, Iraq, from August 2018 until April 2020. History and clinical findings were reported for patients like age, gender, residence, onset of disease, and its relation to the season, time, or Eid occasion. Concurrent small trauma when handling Pacha with or without hand protection equipment was noted. Results: The mean age was 39.8±8.9 years, 20% were males, and 80% females. Mean duration of disease was 14.7±7.8 days. Orf disease was highly significant in housewives than in butchers (p-value<0.01). About three-quarters of patients had preceding mild trauma by broken sheep's head and trotters. No hand protection was used in 77.1%. Two thirds of patients acquired disease after Eid events. Orf involved only hands. Furthermore, 37.1% of cases had a targetoid stage. The disease was significantly reported in summer and autumn. Self-healing occurred within six weeks. Cellulitis (12.6%) and paronychia (4.2%) were described as new complications. Conclusion: After Eid events, Pacha boil (Orf) affected housewives who had unprofessional handling of Pacha without protective measures. Targetoid stage was common. Early diagnosis is mandatory to avoid complications.