Camelpox virus

Abstract

Camelpox is a highly contagious skin disease of camelids caused by camelpox virus (CMLV), a member of genus Orthopoxvirus within the family Poxviridae. The disease is often manifested as a mild local skin infection and sometimes in the severe form with systemic involvement. The disease is enzootic in the camel-rearing areas of arid and semiarid regions of the world and causes economic loss in terms of morbidity, mortality, loss of weight, and reduction in milk and wool production. The CMLV infection is transmitted mostly by direct contact and aerosol route. The disease gained attention globally in the recent past due to its close similarity with the causative agent of smallpox (variola virus) and irrefutable incidences of few zoonotic infections in humans. Like many other poxviruses, the CMLV has a large DNA genome, capable of encoding genes responsible for replication, host range, immunomodulation, virulence, and other functions. Despite the presence of a myriad of host range genes, the host tropism of camelpox virus is very limited. Both live attenuated and inactivated vaccines are available to combat the disease in camels; however, no vaccine has been developed till date for use in humans. Few antiviral agents have been shown to be effective against CMLV; however, their use is very limited in field outbreaks. The research on CMLV is gaining global interest due to CMLV zoonosis especially in the context of naive human population to poxvirus immunity. The present chapter enlightens the brief overview of background, history, incidence, and prevalence of the disease, immunobiology, diagnostics, risk factors, transmission, and prevention and control of camelpox.