25 years since the eradication of smallpox: why poxvirus research is still relevant

doi:10.1016/j.it.2004.10.002

Trends in Immunology

Volume 25, Issue 12, December 2004, Pages 636-639

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2004.10.002 Get rights and content

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the eradication of smallpox twenty-five years ago this month. This conquest of an infectious disease, which has been the bane of humankind for centuries, still stands as the WHO's greatest achievement. The anniversary of such a scientific and medical landmark provides an appropriate occasion to reflect on this feat and to assess the significance and necessity of the poxvirus research that has followed this.

Section snippets

The threat of recent human monkeypox outbreaks

Despite the eradication of smallpox, new problems with poxvirus infections have since emerged. The 2003 U.S. multistate outbreak of monkeypox highlighted the need for continued vigilance and trained personnel capable of studying and responding to orthopoxviruses. Such resources are crucial in an age when once geographically isolated infectious diseases can emerge in disparate parts of the globe 6, 7, 8, 9. Thirty-seven laboratory-confirmed cases of human disease were ultimately related to the

Advances in the understanding of poxvirus immunity since smallpox eradication

With the emergence of new poxvirus infections, it is important that basic research on these viruses remain active for decades to come. Comparatively little was known about the mechanism of smallpox–host interaction before its successful eradication 25 years ago. In spite of smallpox eradication, poxvirus research has continued, although no longer out of the necessity to solve an urgent health problem. Research starting in the early 1980s, and continuing to the present day, has successfully used

Profiling cytokines and associated intracellular signalling pathways for characterizing resistance versus susceptibility to poxvirus infection

The profile and ‘balance’ of the immune response has been the subject of recent research endeavours, particularly using ectromelia virus (mousepox). Ectromelia virus is closely related to variola virus and vaccinia virus. The mousepox model proved useful in the study of viral pathogenesis and aspects of viral immunology. Strains of mice might be classified as resistant or susceptible to mousepox. For instance, breeds of mice most sensitive to infection are Swiss and inbred strains, such as A/J

Concluding remarks

The celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of smallpox eradication is a most timely occasion on which to reflect on both the historical and scientific implications of such an achievement. As described, an enormous amount has been learnt about the fundamental immunity to poxvirus infection since the announcement of its eradication in 1979. Of particularly broad scientific significance is the contribution of poxvirus research to understanding immune evasion strategies by viruses in general.

Acknowledgements

We thank Frank Fenner (Australian National University) for his insights and contribution on the historical events leading up to the eradication of smallpox. S.M. is an Australian NHMRC R Douglas Wright Fellow. B.A.L. is a Senior Lecturer in molecular biology and genetics at the University of Canberra, Australia. I.K.D. is Chief of the poxvirus program at the Centers for Disease Control, USA.

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Trends in Immunology

Research Focus25 years since the eradication of smallpox: why poxvirus research is still relevant

Section snippets

The threat of recent human monkeypox outbreaks

Advances in the understanding of poxvirus immunity since smallpox eradication

Profiling cytokines and associated intracellular signalling pathways for characterizing resistance versus susceptibility to poxvirus infection

Concluding remarks

Acknowledgements

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Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.

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