The Yaba monkey tumor virus is a type of

poxvirus ''Poxviridae'' is a family of double-stranded DNA viruses. Vertebrates and arthropods serve as natural hosts. There are currently 83 species in this family, divided among 22 genera, which are divided into two subfamilies. Diseases associated wit ...

. The first case of the virus was obtained from a colony of rhesus monkeys in

Yaba, Lagos Yaba is a suburb located on Lagos Mainland, Lagos in Lagos State, Nigeria. There are several federal government institutions in the area, which include Queen's College, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, the Yaba College of Technolog ...

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

. The virus caused the formation of tumors on the bodies of the monkeys. From these tumors the virus was isolated and determined to be its own species of virus. It is a species of the ''

Yatapoxvirus ''Yatapoxvirus'' is a genus of viruses, in the family ''Poxviridae'', in the subfamily ''Chordopoxvirinae ''Chordopoxvirinae'' is a subfamily of viruses in the family ''Poxviridae''. Humans, vertebrates, and arthropods serve as natural hosts ...

'' genus and is closely related to the

tanapox Tanapox (a virus from the genus ''Yatapoxvirus'') was first seen among individuals in the flood plain of the Tana River in Kenya during two epidemics (1957 and 1962) of acute febrile illness accompanied by localized skin lesions. Signs and sym ...

. The virus gets its name from the suburb of Yaba, Lagos.

Signs and symptoms

The Yaba monkey tumor virus is characterized by the formation of cutaneous histiocytomas. These cutaneous histiocytomas may form on the face, palms, digits, forearm, surfaces of the nose, sinuses, lips, palate. The tumors are visible within 4–5 days after infection of the virus. In rhesus monkeys the virus has a tendency to affect the face and sinuses causing large tumors to form. In general the only symptoms of the virus will be the formation of tumors.

Virus

The Yaba monkey tumor virus (YMTV) is considered a chordopoxvirus due to its ability to infect vertebrates and consists of linear double-stranded DNA. Being a part of the genus ''Yatapoxvirus'', the YMTV is only able to infect primates – which includes humans. The virus can be transmitted by direct contact on the skin or by transmission from mosquitos. The vaccinia virus is a known prevention method for the Monkey Poxvirus through intradermal inoculation; however, it has been found that intradermal inoculation of the vaccinia virus does not provide resistance to the Yaba monkey tumor virus. For more information on the virus the

Tanapox Tanapox (a virus from the genus ''Yatapoxvirus'') was first seen among individuals in the flood plain of the Tana River in Kenya during two epidemics (1957 and 1962) of acute febrile illness accompanied by localized skin lesions. Signs and sym ...

virus similar.

Treatment

The tumors are known to resolve on their own after between 2–3 months after infection. Currently the best known treatment for the virus is the removal of the cutaneous tumors and subsequent treatment with antibiotics to prevent infection of the open wounds. The best method of preventing infection is to wear gloves and protective clothing while handling infected primates.

Epidemiology and history

The virus was first visualized after an outbreak of cutaneous histiocytomas in rhesus monkeys which were kept outdoors in 1956 Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. The virus has not been yet been observed in wild animals. This virus is transmittable to humans and has been transmitted in the past through handling of the monkeys, the symptoms are generally the same observed in the monkeys. There have only been a few cases of the virus transmitting to humans, with little documentation.

References

External links

{{Taxonbar, from=Q8046343 Chordopoxvirinae Yaba, Lagos