Smallpox (variola minor

Classification

• Genome:Double stranded DNA
• Family:Poxviridae
• Subfamily:Chordopoxvirinae
• Genus:Orthopoxvirus
• Species:Variole
• Four types: Variola major(modified);hemorrhagic;and malignant(flat);minor

Smallpox?

• Smallpox got the name Variola, or Variola vera which was created from varius("spotted") or varus("pimple")
• Originally: "pox" or "red plague"
• The term "smallpox" was made to distinguish from "great pox"(syphilis)

Symptoms

Treatments

• (no symptoms for 7-17 days):afterward-
• Fever
• Overall discomfort
• Headache
• Severe fatigue
• Severe back pain
• Vomiting

• No cure
• No proven treatment

Transmission

• Airborne
• enters through respiratory tract
• Attaches to the mouth, trachea, or lung mucosa
• Respiratory droplets (coughing,sputum,and saliva)
• fine-particle aerosol
• Direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects(bedding or clothing)

Molecular Mechanisms

Smallpox (Variola minor/ Variola major)

• Variola enters lung mucosa (not tight) by penetrating it and moving into the saliva.
• Once reaches cell membrane it is brought in through endocytosis, once in the host cell - core protein is released.
• Replicates in the cytoplasm of the host cell.
• Replication and transcription of DNA can start immediately because it contains enzymes.
• doesn't rely on host cell enzymes to initiate replication.
• DNA and RNA polymerase - virion structure, immunosuppressive proteins, proteins that bind to the immune system (TNF,C4b) are made.

Epidemiology

• Successful worldwide vaccination program cause smallpox to be eradicated.
• made from"pox"-type
• Vaccine consists of laboratory strain of vaccinia virus(prevents infection)
• Does not contain smallpox nor transmit it.
• Last infection in Somalia in 1977

Bibliography

Variola virus. (2011, February 18). Retrieved April 2, 2016, from Public Health Agency of Canada

website: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/variol-eng.php#footnote8

Smallpox. (2014, October 22). Retrieved April 2, 2016, from National Institute of Allergy and

Infectious Diseases website: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/smallpox/Pages/default.aspx

Smallpox. (2007, February 7). Retrieved April 2, 2016, from Centres for Disease Control and

Prevention website: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/vaccination/facts.asp

Smallpox disease overview. (2007, February 6). Retrieved April 3, 2016, from Centres for Disease

Control and Prevention website: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/overview/disease-facts.asp

Smallpox. (2014, August 16). Retrieved April 2, 2016, from MAYO CLINIC website:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/smallpox/basics/symptoms/con-20022769

Johnson, S. (2016, January 4). Smallpox (D. Sullivan, Ed.). Retrieved April 2, 2016, from healthline

website: http://www.healthline.com/health/smallpox#Transmission4

Mathew, A. (2010). Variola virus smallpox. Retrieved April 2, 2016, from http://web.uconn.edu/

mcbstaff/graf/Student%20presentations/Smallpox/Smallpox.html

Types of Variola

• Variola major: most common form - extensive rash, high fever. 90% of cases
• subtypes:Variola modified: mild, occurrs in previously vaccinated
• Variola hemorrhagic: both rare and very severe. Develop in the skin and mucous membranes.
• Variola Flat: do not project above the skin surface
• Variola minor:less common- Subtypes:
• Variola sine eruptione:another less common
• Pulmonary form: severe symptoms, little or no immunity;mortality rate = undetermined
• Pharyngeal form: immunized indiduals - spotty enanthem(rash inside the body) over the soft palate, uvula, and pharynx, mild
• influenzalike: rarely results in rash, mild