Ecthyma contagiosum

Orf, sheep pox, vaccinoids, livestock pox.

A zoonosis caused by parapoxvirus ovis, a DNA-square virus, with low contagiosity.

• Common disease among sheep farmers
• Self-limiting, but frequent recurrences (an infectious immunity)

• Incubation period: 3-11 days
• Infection occurs via injured skin through direct contact with sheep, lambs and goats. Ecthyma contagiosum occurs mainly in spring.

• Mostly on the extensor sides of the fingers (rarely on the face)
• 1st week: maculopapular stage
• 2nd week: cocard stage
• 3rd week: exudation
• 4th week: formation of a crust
• 5th week: papillomatous transformation, then regression
• Generalisation very rare. Incidental findings often regional lymphadenopathy

Anamnesis, clinic, dermatopathology, virus detection.

Vascular granulation tissue with epidermal ballooned cells and reticular degeneration.

Healing after approx. 5 weeks without scarring.

• Locally drying and antiseptic
• For example:
  • Iodine-povidone solution
  • Application: leave on for 2-3 min
  • Contraindication: Hyperthyroidism, Duhring's disease, in the context of radioiodine therapy. According to the product information, pregnancy and breastfeeding are also contraindications. In our opinion, use is also well justified here.
• Tanning agents several times a day

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2. Bodilsen J, Leth S. [Orf parapoxvirus can infect humans after relevant exposure]. Ugeskr Laeger 2013;175:1121-2.
3. Zhang K, Liu Y, Kong H, Shang Y, Liu X. Human infection with ORF virus from goats in China, 2012. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2014;14:365-7.
4. de Vicq de Cumptich M, Snoeck R, Sass U, del Marmol V, Binet H. [Orf nodules and immunosuppression: a case report and review of therapeutics]. Rev Med Brux 2015;36:439-43.
5. Frandsen J, Enslow M, Bowen AR. Orf parapoxvirus infection from a cat scratch. Dermatol Online J 2011;17:9.
6. Turan E, Yesilova Y, Ucmak D. A case of orf (ecthyma contagiosum) with multiple lesions. J Pak Med Assoc 2013;63:786-7.
7. Friebel TR, van der Werff JF. The orf virus: a case report. J Hand Surg Eur Vol 2015;40:648-9.