Pox virus is a double DNA virus that is best characterized by lesions that appear on the skin. The virus is identified using an electron microscope to find the brick shaped virions (King 2012). The use of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) can identify which subfamily and genus the strand of pox virus is classified under. The family Poxviridae can be split into two subfamilies Chordopoxvirinae (vertebrate pox virus) and Entomopoxvirinae (insect pox virus) (Bracht et al 2005, King 2012). The subfamily of pox viruses that affect marine mammals are the Chordopoxviridae. Chordopoxviridae is made up of nine known genera including Avipox virus, Capripox virus, Cervidpox virus, Leporipox virus, Molluscipox virus, Orthopox virus, Parapox virus, Suipox
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CePV-1 has been recorded in odontocetes and CePV-2 has been discovered in one species of mysticetes. However, another study has split the cetacean pox virus into CePV 1-6 suggesting that many more strains of these viruses are occurring in cetaceans (Barnett et al 2015). The appearance of skin lesions on cetaceans look like dark pigmented rings or tattoos that are flat against the skin (Bracht et al 2005, Bressem et al 2009). Lesions usually appear on their dorsal side, fluke, and fins (Bracht et al …show more content…
Pox virus has been identified in five species of phocids, three species of otariids, and in Odobenus rosmarus (Bracht et al 2005, Melero et al 2014). Skin lesions appear on ventral side, head, flippers, and oral mucosa and are smooth, raised nodes (Bracht et al 2005, Burek et al 2005, Melero et al 2014, Nollens et al 2005).
Sea otter pox virus is a newly identified strain of pox virus. This strain does not fit into a specific genus under the subfamily Chordopoxvirinae. This form of pox virus appears as lesions that extend deep into the epidermis and has swelling in the cytoplasm of the cells (Tuomi et al 2014). In marine mammals, pox virus does not cause mortality. However, it does cause an increase in morbidity and can lead to the development of other diseases that can cause death. Novel strains are discovered almost yearly and are identified on more marine mammal species. Risk factors for developing pox virus include age, environment, stress, and time spent in captivity (Burek et al 2005, Nollens et al 2005). Pox virus mainly effects juvenile marine mammals leaving their immune systems suppressed and at higher risk for fatal diseases (Bressem et al 2009, Burek et al 2005, Nollens et al 2005). This can cause populations of species to decline since there is a decrease in the number of new members entering the population from this immature mortality of unhealthy
CePV-1 has been recorded in odontocetes and CePV-2 has been discovered in one species of mysticetes. However, another study has split the cetacean pox virus into CePV 1-6 suggesting that many more strains of these viruses are occurring in cetaceans (Barnett et al 2015). The appearance of skin lesions on cetaceans look like dark pigmented rings or tattoos that are flat against the skin (Bracht et al 2005, Bressem et al 2009). Lesions usually appear on their dorsal side, fluke, and fins (Bracht et al …show more content…
Pox virus has been identified in five species of phocids, three species of otariids, and in Odobenus rosmarus (Bracht et al 2005, Melero et al 2014). Skin lesions appear on ventral side, head, flippers, and oral mucosa and are smooth, raised nodes (Bracht et al 2005, Burek et al 2005, Melero et al 2014, Nollens et al 2005).
Sea otter pox virus is a newly identified strain of pox virus. This strain does not fit into a specific genus under the subfamily Chordopoxvirinae. This form of pox virus appears as lesions that extend deep into the epidermis and has swelling in the cytoplasm of the cells (Tuomi et al 2014). In marine mammals, pox virus does not cause mortality. However, it does cause an increase in morbidity and can lead to the development of other diseases that can cause death. Novel strains are discovered almost yearly and are identified on more marine mammal species. Risk factors for developing pox virus include age, environment, stress, and time spent in captivity (Burek et al 2005, Nollens et al 2005). Pox virus mainly effects juvenile marine mammals leaving their immune systems suppressed and at higher risk for fatal diseases (Bressem et al 2009, Burek et al 2005, Nollens et al 2005). This can cause populations of species to decline since there is a decrease in the number of new members entering the population from this immature mortality of unhealthy