Poxvirus infection in a rat (Rattus norvegicus) in Kuwait.

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Animal Health

Background:

• Poxviruses are significant pathogens affecting various animal species.
• Surveillance of novel viral agents in wildlife is crucial for understanding zoonotic potential.
• Previous reports of poxvirus in Rattus norvegicus are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize a poxvirus from a rat in Kuwait.
• To determine the viral properties, including host range and morphology.
• To identify the taxonomic relationship of the isolated virus.

Main Methods:

• Virus isolation from rat skin lesions.
• Propagation in chicken embryos (chorioallantoic membrane) and cell cultures (CER, Vero).
• Electron microscopy for virion morphology.
• Serological testing using vaccinia antiserum and agar gel immunodiffusion.

Main Results:

• Isolation of a poxvirus from a rat (Rattus norvegicus) in Kuwait.
• Virus induced hemorrhagic pock lesions in chicken embryos and cytopathic effect (cell rounding, syncytia) in cell cultures.
• Virus was ether/chloroform resistant, showed low hemagglutinating activity, and induced nodular lesions in rabbit skin.
• Electron microscopy confirmed typical poxvirus morphology (brick-shaped, 220-250 nm).
• Serological tests indicated the virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus.

Conclusions:

• A poxvirus related to the Orthopoxvirus genus was successfully isolated from a rat.
• The characterized virus possesses distinct biological and morphological properties.
• This finding highlights the potential for poxvirus circulation in rodent populations.