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Mukund S. Vats
Introduction
• Small pox caused devastating epidemics worldwide.
• However, in October 1977, after vigorous efforts by
the WHO, this disease became the first ever to be
completely eradicated.
• Pox viruses are most commonly spread by direct contact.
• However, in the case of small pox, when the virus is
found in lesions in the upper respiratory tract, can be
transmitted to others in droplet secretions.
• Infection by a pox virus results in cell-mediated
immunity.
• People who are infected with small pox are generally
immune to the disease for the rest of their lives.
Biology
• Are the largest and most complex of all viruses.
• Virion size of 220-350 x 115-260 nm.
• Can be seen under a light microscope.
• 2 subfamilies:
I. Chordopoxvirinae – Virus of chordates
II. Entomopoxviridae – Virus of insects
• Chicken pox virus does not belong this family!
- It is a herpesvirus
Classification of Poxviridae
Biology
• Genome: double-stranded
DNA, linear, noninfectious, 191
Kbp with hairpin loop end.
• Morphology: "complex“ or
brick-shaped
• Envelope: May be Enveloped
or nacked
• Replication: takes place in
cytoplasm
• Host range: host range varies
• Oncogenicity: may cause
benign tumors
• Two forms
1. Intracellular mature virion
(IMV)
2. Extracellular enveloped
virion (EEV) Generally has
extra envelope
Genome
• More than 200 genes
• The gene coding sequences are
densely packed, and the
template for RNA synthesis may
be present in either strand.
• The sequences encoding
structural proteins and essential
enzymes are clustered in
roughly the central 120 kb.
• Genes encoding virulence
proteins, hostrange proteins, or
immunomodulators are found
predominantly near the ends.
Replication
• The replication cycle of
poxviruses occurs in the
cytoplasm of the cell and
varies greatly in duration.
• It takes between 12 and 75 h
from the time of infection.
• The majority of information
concerning the replication of
poxviruses has been obtained
by using vaccinia virus.
Virus Entry into Cells
• Electron-micrographic evidence,
• In the Lysosome
• Low-pH-dependent endosomal fusion
• Enveloped virus also fuses in a pH-independent manner
with the plasma membrane, although the kinetics is more
rapid than for nonenveloped virus
• Virion to undergo at least two discrete stages of
disassembly on entry into the cell.
1. loss of outermost virion proteins and lipid
2. Uncoating of genome.
Early Gene Expression
• Almost immediately on entry into
the cell, the virion associated
transcriptional machinery is
activated and synthesizes a class of
capped and polyadenylated virus-
specific transcripts which are
homologous to approximately 50%
of the genome.
• These early gene products are
involved in interactions with the
host and in DNA.
• A DNA polymerase along with
several other protein required for
replication have been shown to be
expressed.
• These also effect the cell cycle
control, and/or form a nuclear site
of action.
DNA Replication
• Poxvirus replication is independent
of the host nucleus in discrete areas
of the cytoplasm called factories or
viroplasm,
• when observed by light microscopy,
as a discrete structure which is
referred to as a B-type inclusion
body (BTI).
• The onset of DNA replication varies
among poxviruses; it may occurs
between 2 and 5 h postinfection
with the production of ca. 10,000
genome copies.
• Recombination occurs at high levels
in poxvirus-infected
• cells and appears to be tightly linked
in DNA replication.
Late Gene Expression
• Pox viruses have 3 phases of expression.
x Early Expression
x Intermediate Expression.
x Late Expression.