Properties of an orthopoxvirus strain isolated from camels in Niger

Abstract

The VD₄₇ viral strain, isolated from camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Niger possesses camelpoxvirus morphology and characteristic properties: heat sensitive, ether resistant, chloroform and IDU sensitive, with ceiling-temperature 38.5 °C. It induces formation of syncytia and retracted cells focis with hemadsorption test positive. No pathogen for mice and very mildly for rabbits, this virus is neutralizable by anti-vaccine serum. The question of camelpoxvirus and camel parapoxvirus pathogenicity for human is discussed by the authors.