Poxvirus pathology and pathogenesis in agriculturally important species.
Authors: MacNeill Amy L, Micheloud Juan Francisco, Parvin Rokshana, Gjessing Mona, Airas Niina A, Sant'Ana Fabiano José Ferreira de, Adamek Mikolaj
Journal: Veterinary pathology
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Poxvirus Pathology and Pathogenesis in Agricultural Species Global resurgence of zoonotic poxviruses—particularly monkeypox virus (MPV), causative agent of Mpox—has intensified following the cessation of routine smallpox vaccination in the 1980s, leaving populations vulnerable to cross-protective immunity gaps and expanding the pool of susceptible hosts across multiple species. MacNeill and colleagues conducted a comprehensive pathological review examining poxvirus infection across agriculturally significant species including equines, poultry, cattle, small ruminants, camels, swine, rabbits, and aquaculture species, synthesising existing literature on clinical manifestations and histopathological lesions across these diverse hosts. Despite genetic variation between different poxviruses, clinical and microscopic disease presentations demonstrate striking similarities across most terrestrial and aquatic species, though notable exceptions exist—particularly in fish infections—highlighting host-specific pathogenic mechanisms that warrant species-tailored diagnostic and preventive approaches. For equine professionals, this synthesis reinforces the importance of recognising poxviral lesions in horses as potential zoonotic threats, particularly given the documented susceptibility of equines and the non-specific nature of early clinical signs that may mimic other infectious or inflammatory conditions. Understanding the pathological hallmarks and progression patterns across multiple agricultural species strengthens biosecurity protocols and aids differential diagnosis in practice, especially as poxvirus circulation remains elevated in both wild and domestic animal populations.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Be aware that poxvirus infections can affect a wide range of farm species; clinical presentation may be similar across species despite different poxvirus strains
- •Consider poxvirus as a differential diagnosis in livestock showing characteristic lesions, particularly given the resurgence of zoonotic poxviruses globally
- •Understand that loss of population-level smallpox immunity has increased susceptibility to orthopoxviruses across agricultural species; biosecurity measures are important
Key Findings
- •Zoonotic poxviruses including monkeypox virus have increased in human populations following discontinuation of routine smallpox vaccination in the 1980s
- •Large numbers of vertebrate and invertebrate species are susceptible to infection by Poxviridae
- •Clinical signs and histologic lesions caused by genetically different poxviruses are strikingly similar across species with notable exceptions such as poxviral infections in fish
- •Poxvirus pathology and pathogenesis have been documented in agriculturally significant species including poultry, cattle, goats, sheep, camels, swine, rabbits, horses, salmon, and carp