The first outbreak of camelpox in Syria.

In this study we report the first outbreak of camelpox in two provinces in Syria. Clinical symptoms started with fever, salivation and general exanthema. The main features were facial and legs oedema, pustules on the mucosa of the lips and a high rate of abortion. Lesions may also occur on the whole body including scrotum and udder. Specimens were investigated by electron microscopy, virus isolation in cell culture and embryonated eggs and by immunohistochemistry. The causative agent was identified as camelpox virus by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of the hemagglutinin gene.