Related Experiment Videos
Giant orf on the nose.
Mehmet Salih Gurel1, Ilyas Ozardali, Muharrem Bitiren
1Department of Dermatology, Harran University, Medical Faculty, 63200 Sanliurfa, Turkey. gurelm@harran.edu.tr
European Journal of Dermatology : EJD
|March 2, 2002
Summary
Orf virus (Ecthyma contagiosum) can cause large, rapidly growing nasal lesions in children. This rare zoonotic viral infection in humans typically resolves spontaneously within months.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Ecthyma contagiosum, commonly known as orf, is a viral zoonotic disease primarily affecting sheep and goats.
- The virus can be transmitted to humans, usually presenting as a solitary skin lesion.
Observation:
- A case report details a 9-year-old child who developed an unusually large orf lesion on the nose.
- The giant lesion measured 5 cm by 4 cm, with a 2 cm base attached to the right ala nasi.
- Rapid growth of the nasal lesion was noted.
Findings:
- Diagnosis was based on clinical presentation, histopathology, and confirmed by electron microscopy showing the orf virus.
- The giant nasal orf lesion demonstrated spontaneous resolution with minimal scarring.
- The entire course of the infection lasted approximately 3 months.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for orf virus to cause significant, albeit rare, cutaneous manifestations in humans.
- It underscores the importance of considering zoonotic infections in the differential diagnosis of unusual skin lesions.
- The spontaneous resolution suggests a generally favorable prognosis for human orf infections, even in severe presentations.