Parapoxviruses Treatment & Management

  • Author: Luke Bloomquist, MD; Chief Editor: Burke A Cunha, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jun 6, 2011
 

Medical Care

Parapoxvirus infections typically have a benign and self-limited course and no specific treatment is necessary.

Immunocompromised patients or those with large, progressive, or disseminated lesions may benefit from the following interventions:

  • Topical cidofovir[23, 24]
  • Topical imiquimod[25]
  • Antimicrobials for bacterial superinfection

Idoxuridine application may have utility with eye involvement.

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Surgical Care

Surgical debridement or excision may be necessary in rare cases that are progressive or destructive.

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Consultations

A veterinarian may be helpful in diagnosing parapoxvirus infection in the animal host and in controlling outbreaks.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Luke Bloomquist, MD  Combat Aviation Brigade Surgeon, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas

Luke Bloomquist, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians and Society of US Army Flight Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Gary P Holmes, MD, FSHEA, FIDSA  Joint Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A&M University School of Rural Public Health

Gary P Holmes, MD, FSHEA, FIDSA is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Microbiology, Armed Forces Infectious Diseases Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Pranatharthi Haran Chandrasekar, MBBS, MD  Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Director of Infectious Disease Fellowship, Harper Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Pranatharthi Haran Chandrasekar, MBBS, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Thomas M Kerkering, MD  Chief of Infectious Diseases, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

Thomas M Kerkering, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians, American Public Health Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Medical Society of Virginia, and Wilderness Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD  Clinical and Research Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital

Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Physicians, American Society for Microbiology, and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Burke A Cunha, MD  Professor of Medicine, State University of New York School of Medicine at Stony Brook; Chief, Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital

Burke A Cunha, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors Larry I Lutwick, MD, and Adam M Rotunda, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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