Question:

Which of the following poxvirus infections is NOT an animal pox?

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Do not let common names confuse you in virology.
Chickenpox is caused by Varicella-Zoster Virus, which is a Herpesvirus, not a Poxvirus.
Similarly, Smallpox and Cowpox are true poxviruses, but Chickenpox is a herpesvirus infection.
  • Cowpox
  • Contagious ecthyma or Orf
  • Chickenpox
  • Buffalopox
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Taxonomy in virology is based on the genetic material, replication strategy, and structural properties of viruses.
Members of the family *Poxviridae* are large, enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses that replicate within the cytoplasm of host cells.
They primarily cause cutaneous lesions in various animal species, and many of these infections are zoonotic.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let us analyze each of the listed viral diseases to determine their taxonomic classification.
Cowpox (A) is caused by the Cowpox virus, which belongs to the genus *Orthopoxvirus* of the family *Poxviridae*. It is a true animal poxvirus affecting cattle, rodents, cats, and humans.
Contagious ecthyma, commonly known as Orf (B), is caused by the Orf virus, which belongs to the genus *Parapoxvirus* within the family *Poxviridae*. It is a highly contagious, zoonotic viral skin disease primarily affecting sheep and goats.
Buffalopox (D) is caused by the Buffalopox virus, which is also an *Orthopoxvirus* in the family *Poxviridae*. It mainly affects water buffaloes and can be transmitted to humans.
Chickenpox (C), despite its misleading name containing the word "pox," is not caused by a poxvirus.
Chickenpox is caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), which is a member of the family *Herpesviridae* (specifically, human alphaherpesvirus 3).
Herpesviruses are structurally distinct from poxviruses; they are enveloped, icosahedral double-stranded DNA viruses that replicate inside the host cell nucleus and establish lifelong latency in sensory ganglia.
Furthermore, chickenpox is a strictly human disease and is not considered an animal pox.
Therefore, Chickenpox is the correct choice as it is not a poxvirus infection.

Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct option is (C).
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