Poxviridae disease

Poxviridae is a family of viruses known for causing diseases in both humans and animals. The family is divided into two subfamilies: Chordopoxvirinae, which infect vertebrates, and Entomopoxvirinae, which infect insects.

Overview

The Poxviridae family is unique among DNA viruses due to its ability to replicate in the cytoplasm of the host cell. The viruses are large, complex, and have a linear double-stranded DNA genome. The most well-known member of this family is Variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, a disease that has been eradicated globally.

Structure and Replication

Poxviruses are the largest and most complex of all viruses. They have a unique brick or oval shape and contain a large, linear, double-stranded DNA genome. The replication of poxviruses takes place in the cytoplasm of the host cell, which is unusual for DNA viruses, most of which replicate in the nucleus.

Diseases

Poxviridae viruses cause a variety of diseases in humans and animals. The most notorious of these is smallpox, caused by the Variola virus. Other diseases caused by poxviruses include cowpox, monkeypox, and molluscum contagiosum in humans, and sheeppox, goatpox, and swinepox in animals.

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention of poxvirus diseases is primarily through vaccination. The smallpox vaccine was the first vaccine to be developed and has successfully eradicated smallpox worldwide. Treatment of poxvirus infections is primarily supportive, as there are currently no specific antiviral drugs for these infections.

See Also

• Virus
• Vaccination
• Smallpox
• Cowpox
• Monkeypox
• Molluscum contagiosum