Why do poxviruses still matter?

Cell & Bioscience

Zhilong Yang¹  Mark Gray²  Lake Winter² 

[1] Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA;Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA;Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA;

关键词: Poxvirus;    Vaccinia virus;    Virology;    Smallpox;    Vaccine vector;    Oncolytic therapy;    Biodefense;    Public health;    Animal health;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13578-021-00610-8

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Poxviruses comprise many members that infect both vertebrate and invertebrate animals, including humans. Despite the eradication of the historically notorious smallpox, poxviruses remain significant public health concerns and serious endemic diseases. This short review briefly summarizes the present, historical, and future threats posed by poxviruses to public health, wildlife and domestic animals, the role poxviruses have played in shaping modern medicine and biomedical sciences, the insight poxviruses have provided into complex life processes, and the utility of poxviruses in biotechniques and in fighting other infectious diseases and cancers. It is anticipated that readers will appreciate the great merit and need for continued strong support of poxvirus research; research which benefits not only the expansion of fundamental biological knowledge but also the battle against diverse diseases.

【 授权许可】

CC BY