Abstract:

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment of orf infection. Methods Two spouse suffering from orf infection admitted to the Department of Dermatology of Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital was retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literature was reviewed. Results A 68-year-old male patient presented for erythematous pustules on the right thumb for 2 weeks. After anti-inflammatory treatment, there was no significant improvement in the primary rash. The patient was followed up by telephone for external use of Baiduobang after discharge. Three weeks after discharge, the swelling of the right thumb rash subsided, and the scab was basically healed in 6 weeks. A 61-year-old female patient was admitted to the outpatient department for finger nodules, with painless itching for half a month, and viral inclusion bodies were found by pathological biopsy. Contact history of livestock, combined with clinical manifestations and pathological changes finally yielded the diagnosis of orf infection. The infection mode was inferred as sheep-to-human and human-to-human. After the rash improved on its own, no new hair developed. Conclusion For spouses both suffering from orf infection, the mode of transmission includes sheep transmission and human transmission. Clinicians should make a comprehensive judgment based on the past medical history, clinical manifestations, contact history, and auxiliary examinations. A clear diagnosis is carefully determined to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment, and unnecessary economic burden to the patient.

Key words: Capripoxvirus, skin diseases, zoonoses