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Updated: Jul 25 2018

Variola

Images
https://upload.medbullets.com/topic/104013/images/variola.jpg
https://upload.medbullets.com/topic/104013/images/smallpox.jpg
https://upload.medbullets.com/topic/104013/images/smallpox_virus_virions_tem_phil_1849.jpg
  • Snapshot
    • As a dermatology resident, you are studying cutaneous manifestations of viral diseases. You come across a photo of a child with hundreds of pustular lesions, primarily on the face but also affecting the mucosa and the rest of the body. You realize that this was a disease resulting from a virus that is similar to the one causing chickenpox; however, it has been eradicated with global vaccination.
  • Introduction
    • Classification
      • variola
        • a poxvirus
        • an enveloped, linear, double-stranded DNA virus
    • Epidemiology
      • incidence
        • the disease has been eradicated with global vaccination
      • risk factors
        • bioterrorism
    • Pathogenesis
      • patients remain contagious until the lesion scabs and all scabs fall off naturally
    • Associated conditions
      • smallpox
    • Prevention
      • live-attenuated vaccine
    • Prognosis
      • mortality was very high with an overall fatality of 30%
  • Presentation
    • Symptoms
      • initial prodrome
        • fever and chills
        • headache
        • spinal pain
        • pharyngitis
        • may have a fine macular rash
      • characteristic rash occurs after prodrome
    • Physical exam
      • characteristic rash has 3 phases and is synchronous (i.e., all lesions are at the same stage of development)
        • initial small, red, non-blanching macules
          • develops into firm papules then into pustules and larger vesicles with central umbilication
        • affects both mucosa and skin but is denser on the face
        • lesions develop a scab by the second week
      • conjunctivitis
  • Studies
    • Labs
      • polymerase chain reaction assay
    • Electron microscopy
      • brick-shaped virions with internal dumbbell-shaped core containing viral DNA
      • from vesicular or pustular fluid
    • Making the diagnosis
      • based on clinical presentation
  • Differential
    • Varicella (chicken pox)
      • distinguishing factors
        • typically does not have a prodromal phase and begins with an exanthematous rash
        • progression from initial rash to scab is 7 days (vs 14 days in variola)
  • Treatment
    • Management approach
      • mainstay treatment is supportive care
      • patients should be isolated
    • Conservative
      • supportive care
        • indication
          • all patients
        • modalities
          • intravenous fluids
          • analgesics
          • good wound care
  • Complications
    • Cutaneous scarring
    • Encephalitis
    • Stillbirth
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