Cat pox

Cat-borne, rare smallpox disease of humans.

Transmission occurs via rodents and cattle, but mainly via cats. Skin lesions serve as a portal of entry.

• Mostly only a primary lesion, which initially appears as a red macula
• In the course, formation of pustules and nodules, possibly ulceration
• Otherwise, there is reduced AZ, fever and lymphadenopathy

• clinic
• Electron microscopy (negative contrast)
• Serology
• Detection of pathogens

In almost 50% of cases, the hands or fingers are affected, otherwise the face and neck.

Scarring heals in 6-8 weeks.

• Topically antiseptic
• Approved systemic drugs do not exist. Cidovir has shown efficacy in studies, but its use is debatable due to potentially lethal side effects

1. Feuerstein B, Jurgens M, Schnetz E, Fartasch M, Simon M, Jr. [Cowpox and catpox infection. 2 Clinical case reports]. Hautarzt 2000;51:852-6.
2. Mahnel H. [Catpox in Germany]. Tierarztl Prax 1991;19:419-22.
3. Vestey JP, Yirrell DL, Aldridge RD. Cowpox/catpox infection. Br J Dermatol 1991;124:74-8.
4. Steinborn A, Essbauer S, Marsch W. [Human cowpox/catpox infection. A potentially unrecognized disease]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2003;128:607-10.
5. Vestey JP, Yirrell DL, Norval M. What is human catpox/cowpox infection? Int J Dermatol 1991;30:696-8.
6. Yirrell DL, Vestey JP, Norval M, Aldridge RD. Human catpox/cowpox infection. Vet Rec 1990;127:24.