Parapox virus
From Felipedia
The parapox virus is related to the Pox virus which affects cats.
Parapox infection in cats has rarely been reported except for a case in New Zealand, where three cats were recorded with skin lesions that failed to respond to medical treatment[1]. Histologically, the lesions were proliferative and papillary. There was marked acanthosis, rete peg formation, and compact orthokeratosis, with large numbers of bacteria in the orthokeratotic scale. Some biopsies had multifocal keratinocyte swelling of the stratum granulosum, and amphophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions were present in some of the swollen cells. The dermis consisted of a light fibrous stroma with marked capillary proliferation. Parapoxviruses were detected in the lesions of all cats by electron microscopic examination.
Parapoxvirus infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis when dealing with proliferative, non-healing lesions on the feet of cats, especially cats in rural areas.
Response to conventional therapy is guarded due to the invasive nature of the virus. Antimicrobial therapy based on culture and sensitivity may minimize secondary infection, but surgical debridement is not always corrective.
References
- ↑ Fairley RA, Whelan EM, Pesavento PA, Mercer AA. (2008) Recurrent localised cutaneous parapoxvirus infection in three cats. N Z Vet J 56(4):196-201
