Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 30, 2026

Rapid, Seamless Generation of Recombinant Poxviruses using Host Range and Visual Selection
Published on: May 24, 2020
Characterization of sealpox virus, a separate member of the parapoxviruses
1Institut für Virologie (FB Veterinärmedizin), Justus-Liebig-Universität, Giessen, Germany. paul.becher@vetmed.uni-giessen.de
Abstract:
A disease outbreak characterized by lesions of the skin and mucosa of the oral cavity was recognized in harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina) from the German North Sea. Using electron microscopy typical parapoxvirus particles were observed. The presence of parapoxvirus was confirmed by PCR and nucleotide sequencing of part of the putative major envelope protein coding gene. Comparative sequence analysis revealed that the virus from seal is significantly different from the established parapoxvirus species Orf virus, Bovine papular stomatitis virus, Pseudocowpox virus, and Parapoxvirus of red deer in New Zealand. The results of our analysis provide evidence for inclusion of the seal parapoxvirus as member of a separate species within the genus Parapoxvirus.
Related Concept Videos
Leaky Scanning
Subviral Agents
Viral Structure
Viruses of Archaea
Smallpox
Coronavirus

