Late development of pustular, erosive lesions in the muzzle of calves inoculated with Pseudocowpox virus

We studied the pathogenesis of Pseudocowpox virus (PCPV), a zoonotic parapoxvirus associated with mucocutaneous lesions in cattle. Inoculation of calves with PCPV isolate SD 76–65 intranasally (n = 6) or transdermally in the muzzle (n = 2) resulted in virus replication and shedding up to day 13 post-infection (pi). No local or systemic signs were observed in inoculated calves up to day 20pi, when the clinical monitoring was discontinued. However, from days 28–34 pi, seven (7/8) inoculated calves underwent an asynchronous clinical course characterized by development of a few (one or two) to countless papulo-pustular, erosive-fibrinous and scabby lesions in the muzzle, in some cases extending to the lips and gingiva. In some animals, the lesions coalesced, forming extensive fibrinotic/necrotic and scabby plaques covering almost entirely the muzzle. The clinical course lasted 8–15 days and spontaneously subsided after day 42pi. Infectious virus and/or viral DNA were detected in swabs collected from lesions of 5/8 animals between days 34 and 42pi. Histological examination of fragments collected from the muzzle lesions of two affected calves (day 36pi) revealed marked epidermal hyperplasia and severe orthokeratotic and parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, covered by thick scabs. The epidermis showed multifocal areas of keratinocyte coalescing necrosis and mild multifocal vacuolar degeneration. Sera of inoculated calves at 50pi showed partial virus neutralization at low dilutions, demonstrating seroconversion. The delayed and severe clinical course associated with virus persistence in lesions are novel findings and contribute for the understanding of PCPV pathogenesis. •Delayed clinical course of pseudocowpox infection in calves.•Severe pseudocowpox in experimentally infected calves.•Persistence of pseudocowpox in lesions of experimentally infected calves.