DISEASE NAME:     Cowpox (Vaccinia)
 

ETIOLOGICAL AGENT:

    Cowpox virus. This is a pox virus that is antigenically similar to present vaccinia strains.
 

DISEASE MANIFESTATIONS:

    Natural cowpox is no longer present in the U.S. However, it is still found in other parts of the world, especially England. It should not be confused with pseudocowpox (also known as milker's nodules or paravaccinia). It is found in both cattle and horses where it infects the udder and teats of the animals. It is spread by direct contact to humans. In the human it presents as a papulovesiculogranulomatous skin lesion at the inoculation site. It does not spread to other body parts from the initial lesion, which is usually located on the hand or fingers.
 

TREATMENT:

    It is usually self limiting and no treatment is indicated except in immunocompromised patients. Then methisazone can be used.