Camelpox virus

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Legend. Image credit: Name or Publication.

Classification

Domain; Phylum; Class; Order; family [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]

Species

NCBI: [1]

Genus species

Description and Significance

The camelpox virus is the causative agent of camelpox, a disease that targets (you guessed it!) camels. It is very host-specific, but it is possible to infect both primates and humans in a controlled laboratory setting. The virus belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus, which houses other, similar viruses such as Monkeypox, Buffalopox, Cowpox, Rabbitpox, and just about all the other Animalpoxs. Functionally, it has been described as very similar in nature to smallpox — it will bring on fever, lesions on the skin or in the mucous membranes of the mouth or respiratory tract, and generalized infection in targeted hosts. The virus is often lethal, as it will kill roughly only one in four young camels it infects. Older camels tend to be more tolerant and thus are more apt to survive after infection. Though the camelpox virus has likely existed for millenia, discovery was first noted in Punjab, India in 1909, while it was only successfully isolated in 1970. Depending on the region it is cultured in, various strains have arisen that are distinct from the original. Noteworthy strains have been identified in Russia, Kenya, Somalia, Iraq, and Yemen. Evidently, the virus is most present in regions of the world with significant indigenous camel populations — for the same reason, it is absent in northwestern Europe and the Americas. Following its discovery, Camelpox brought on major alarm due to its descriptive similarities to smallpox. The aptly named smallpox eradication programme was launched by the World Health Organization in 1959. It brought on mass vaccinations, extensive education services, and intense surveillance. Though smallpox was the more major threat, the camelpox virus was indirectly targeted and as such has seen a staggering decline in spread in prevalence. The virus is spread through both direct and indirect contact via contaminated environments. There are also the suspected capabilities of insect vectors, as infection is observed to be most prominent after rainfall.

Genome Structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Camelpox virions are brick-shaped and typically 265-295 nm in size. They have an outer membrane covered in tubular proteins. (World Organization for Animal Health, 2021). Internally, the virions contain two lateral bodies that are filled with enzymes essential for virus replication. (Wong, 2018).

The camelpox virus does not maintain its own metabolic system and instead must rely on host cells for energy.

The virus enters a host cell either through endocytosis or by fusing with the plasma membrane. In the cytoplasm, viral genes are uncoated and transcribed by the virus’ RNA polymerase before DNA replication proceeds. Eventually, new virions are assembled in cytoplasmic viral factories before being released through cell lysis. (ViralZone)

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.

If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

References

Balamurugan, V. et al. (2013) Camelpox, an emerging orthopox viral disease, Indian journal of virology : an official organ of Indian Virological Society. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3832703/ (Accessed: 25 November 2024). Camelpox (2024) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camelpox (Accessed: 25 November 2024). Camelpox virus, Antiviral research. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21945248/ (Accessed: 25 November 2024). Camelpox - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/camelpox (Accessed: 25 November 2024). Camelpox. Available at: https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/fr/Health_standards/tahm/3.05.01_CAMELPOX.pdf (Accessed: 25 November 2024). Derrick Baxby et al. (2003) Smallpox-like viruses from camels in Iran, The Lancet. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673672923434 (Accessed: 25 November 2024). Smallpox (no date) World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/smallpox (Accessed: 25 November 2024).

Author

Page authored by Keegan Summitt, Annalise Litterio, Meg Hall, & Zach Creamer, students of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.