Virology

Biology

Orthopoxvirus

Smallpox vaccine

Cowpox virus

Vaccinia

Monkeypox

Genetics

Biological warfare

Gene

Vaccination

Cowpox

Variola virus

Recombinant DNA

Smallpox

Smallpox virus

Toxicology

Virus

Poxviridae

Journal of Molecular Virology and Immunology

Since the earliest times of history, smallpox left deep traces in the memory of humanity with the great epidemics and destruction (deaths) it caused. Variola virus, which is the causative agent of smallpox, and some other viruses in the same family have been a part of many extraordinary changes in the field of science and medicine. Poxviruses have a privileged position in the scientific world due to the fact that the first examples of immunization (variolation) in ancient civilizations, the first safe vaccines developed for use in humans (cowpox virus, vaccinia virus), first infection model of viral pathogenesis (ectromelia virus), and the first human infection eradicated globally (smallpox). Smallpox virus (variola major) is classified as a biological warfare agent (category A), causing high-mortality infections and epidemics, and remains a worldwide concern. These viruses are also unique with their various biological features. Poxviruses, one of the largest viruses associated with human infections, are wide...

An Overview of Monkeypox Virus and Other Medically Important Poxviruses