Bovine papular stomatitis

Bovine papular stomatitis is a zoonotic farmyard pox caused by Bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV), which can spread from infected cattle to cause disease in milkers, farmers and veterinarians. Generally there are usually one or multiple skin lesions, typically on the hands or forearm. The disease is generally mild.

BPSV is a member of the family Poxviridae and the genus Parapoxvirus. Spread typically occurs by direct contact with the infected animal, but has been reported in people without direct contact. BPSV may appear similar to foot-and-mouth disease. It has been found to exhibit a size of around 320 nm by 190 nm, slightly larger than a typical parapoxvirus. BPSV exhibits an egg-like shape.

It occurs worldwide in cattle. Most notably in conditions where cattle are in close contact with one another and in high-stress environments, such as fattening facilities. In other animals the lesions are reddish, raised, sometimes ulcerative lesions on the lips, muzzle, and in the mouth. It usually occurs before the age of two years.