Brazilian porcupinepox virus infection in a free-ranging neotropical porcupine in Mato Grosso, Brazil

Although the novel Brazilian porcupinepox virus (BPoPV) can infect wild porcupines, its lethality and zoonotic potential are not well-established. In May 2021, a free-ranging neotropical porcupine (Coendou longicaudatus boliviensis) rescued from the natural savanna in the Brazilian Cerrado, Mato Grosso State, was presented with a lethal poxviral infection. Clinical signs and PCR detection of BPoPV supported the diagnosis. Poxviral lesions included erythema, exfoliative dermatitis, and erosions involving mainly the face, hindlimb, and vulva. Histologically, the lesions consisted of proliferative and necrotic dermatitis, intraepidermal and follicular pustules, and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in keratinocytes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed BPoPV strains closely related to other rodent-infecting poxviruses. This poxviral infection resulted in the death of a specimen of C. l. boliviensis; the effect on species conservation, and the potential of spillover into humans and other vertebrates remain unknown.

Automated summary

In May 2021, a neotropical porcupine from Brazil was diagnosed with a lethal poxviral infection caused by the Brazilian porcupinepox virus (BPoPV). The infection resulted in erythema, exfoliative dermatitis, and erosions on the face, hindlimb, and vulva. Histological examination revealed proliferative and necrotic dermatitis with intraepidermal and follicular pustules, as well as intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the BPoPV strains were closely related to other poxviruses that infect rodents. The impact of this poxviral infection on species conservation and its potential for spillover into humans and other vertebrates remain unknown.