Progressive vaccinia

Progressive vaccinia, historically termed vaccinia necrosum or vaccinia gangrenosum, is a rare, severe, and potentially fatal complication of smallpox vaccination using live vaccinia virus

Progressive vaccinia, historically termed vaccinia necrosum or vaccinia gangrenosum, is a rare, severe, and potentially fatal complication of smallpox vaccination using live vaccinia virus It develops almost exclusively in individuals with severe cell-mediated immunodeficiencies, such as congenital T-cell defects, advanced HIV infection, hematologic malignancies, or profound immunosuppressive therapy Pathophysiologically, the host’s inability to mount an effective immune response allows uninhibi...

It develops almost exclusively in individuals with severe cell-mediated immunodeficiencies, such as congenital T-cell defects, advanced HIV infection, hematologic malignancies, or profound immunosuppressive therapy Without prompt intervention, the viral infection relentlessly spreads to adjacent cutaneous tissue and disseminates via viremia to distant skin sites, mucous membranes, and visceral organs

Pathophysiologically, the host’s inability to mount an effective immune response allows uninhibited viral replication, characterized by an expanding, non-healing, painless ulceration and progressive tissue necrosis at the inoculation site Without prompt intervention, the viral infection relentlessly spreads to adjacent cutaneous tissue and disseminates via viremia to distant skin sites, mucous membranes, and visceral organs

Pathophysiologically, the host’s inability to mount an effective immune response allows uninhibited viral replication, characterized by an expanding, non-healing, painless ulceration and progressive tissue necrosis at the inoculation site