Northern pygmy mice from 2 localities in East Central Texas, USA, had proliferative epidermal lesions on the tail and feet. Electron microscopy of lesion tissue revealed poxvirus. Phylogenetic analyses indicated the virus differed 35% from its closest relatives, the Chordopoxvirinae. Future research is needed to determine whether this virus could affect human health.
Keywords: Baiomys taylori; Chordopoxvirinae; East-Central Texas; Poxviridae; United States; electron microscopy; epidermal lesions; histopathology; infections; microscopy; northern pygmy mouse; phylogenetics; poxvirus; proliferative lesions; rodents; viruses; zoonoses.