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In vitro isolation and characterization of a calicivirus causing a vesicular disease of the hands and feet

A W Smith1, E S Berry, D E Skilling

  • 1College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory for Calicivirus Studies, Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331, USA.

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|March 21, 1998
PubMed

Insights

San Miguel sea lion virus serotype 5 (SMSV-5), a marine calicivirus, has been identified as a human pathogen. This discovery expands our understanding of calicivirus transmission and disease, with evidence of human infection and antibody presence in the general population.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Virology
  • Human Infectious Diseases
  • Zoonotic Pathogens

Background:

  • Caliciviruses are a diverse group of viruses known to infect various animal species.
  • San Miguel sea lion virus serotype 5 (SMSV-5) is an oceanic calicivirus previously identified in marine mammals.

Observation:

  • SMSV-5 was isolated from northern fur seals with flipper blisters.
  • The virus replicates efficiently in primate and human cell lines.
  • A laboratory worker developed systemic illness with vesicular lesions after exposure to SMSV-5.

Findings:

  • SMSV-5 (SMSV-5 Hom-1) is confirmed as a human pathogen, causing vesicular disease.
  • The virus infects a wide range of hosts, from poikilotherms to primates.
  • Antibodies against SMSV-5 were detected in 18% of blood donors in the northwestern US, indicating potential widespread exposure.

Implications:

  • This finding signifies a paradigm shift in recognizing calicivirus-related human diseases.
  • It highlights the potential for marine mammals to serve as reservoirs for zoonotic caliciviruses.
  • Further research is needed to understand the full spectrum of SMSV-5 infections in humans and its public health significance.

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