RE:RE:RE:The issue of the safe use of higher doses of vaccinia virus Virus Safe Handling Content from the - Environmental Health and Safety - BioSafety Manual - University of Florida
Poxvirus (Vaccinia):
Poxviruses are double-stranded, enveloped DNA viruses belonging to poxvirus family. The viruses provide an excellent tool for recombinant DNA technology due to their large genome size capable of accommodating large inserts, up to 25Kb, and their ability for autonomous replication.
Following are poxviruses:
Genus Orthopoxvirus e.g. vaccinia, variola, cowpox, monkeypox, and (now eradicated) small pox viruses
Genus Leporipoxvirus e.g. myxoma virus
Genus Molluscipoxvirus e.g. molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV),
Genus Avipoxvirus e.g. canarypox and fowlpox viruses.
Risk Assessment:
Safety issues arise since these recombinant viruses can replicate in mammalian cells and can cause severe infection in immunocompromised individuals. Laboratory acquired infections have been reported as a result of accidental inoculation.
All projects involving poxviruses are reviewed by the IBC (Institutional Biosafety Committee)
Working with vaccinia is usually recommended at BSL-2 or higher and animal work at ABSL-2 or higher. Final assessment of the biosafety level is decided by the IBC on case-by-case basis.
Monkeypox is a Risk Group 3 (RG3) virus and a select agent. Work with this virus has to be conducted at BSL-3 or above
Researchers working with vaccinia and other poxviruses can potentially get exposed to the virus by ingestion, parenteral inoculation, aerosols, or through broken skin
Researchers who directly handle vaccinia vectors (other than highly attenuated MVA, NYVAC, ALVAC and TROVAC) in culture or work with animals infected with these, are required to receive vaccinia vaccination before they start working with these agents and to get re-vaccinated at least every 10years. Persons working with monkeypox virus must be vaccinated every 3 years.
Immunocompromised individuals must not handle these viruses
Disadvantages of using Vaccinia Viral Vectors:
Non-highly attenuated strains are infectious
Vaccinia vaccination is required for persons working with non-highly attenuated strains.
Immunocompromised individuals must not handle these viruses
https://webfiles.ehs.ufl.edu/BioMan.pdf