LOCALIZED HUMAN COWPOX CATPOX INFECTION - CURRENT ASPECTS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY/

Only few human cowpox/catpox infections have been reported until now. The diagnosis of bland localized infections may be missed, if this dis ease is not well known. However, early diagnosis of localized cowpox/c atpox infections is important, since at least immunocompromised patien ts are at risk of potential lethal generalization similar to generaliz ed variola vera. Using a typical case report, the characteristics of t he disease, as well as the current aspects of epidemiology, diagnosis and therapy are summarized. The characteristic finding of intracytopla smatic inclusion bodies by light microscopy can be demonstrated in a h uman biopsy-specimen for the first time and greatly facilitated the di agnosis.