Pronunciation: [pˈɒksva͡ɪɹəsɪz] (IPA) 
The word "Poxviruses" is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ˈpɒksvaɪrəsiːz/. This word is a plural form of "Poxvirus", which is a type of virus that affects animals and humans. The first syllable of "Poxviruses" is pronounced with a short "o" sound, followed by an "ks" sound. The last syllable "-viruses" is pronounced with a long "i" sound, followed by a soft "s" sound, and ends with a short "iz" sound.
Poxviruses are a family of large, complex DNA viruses that infect a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. They are named after the characteristic skin lesion they cause, known as a "pox." Poxviruses have a unique replication strategy that takes place entirely within the cytoplasm of infected cells.
These viruses are structurally complex and contain an outer envelope surrounding a core containing the viral DNA. They possess a large genome and are capable of encoding a variety of genes that enable them to manipulate host cell machinery.
Poxviruses are known for causing a range of diseases in humans and animals. Variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, is perhaps the most notorious member of this family. However, most poxvirus infections in humans today are zoonotic in nature, originating from animals such as rodents, primates, or other mammals.
In humans, poxvirus infections can manifest as localized skin lesions or as systemic diseases. Symptoms typically include fever, rash, and inflammation. Poxvirus infections can be severe and potentially fatal, depending on the specific virus and host factors.
Despite the harm they can cause, poxviruses have also been utilized as effective vaccines against some diseases. Vaccinia virus, a related poxvirus, was used to develop the smallpox vaccine, which played a crucial role in eradicating the disease worldwide.
In summary, poxviruses are a diverse group of large DNA viruses that infect a wide range of hosts, including humans. They are characterized by their ability to cause various diseases and possess unique features that allow them to replicate within host cells.
The word "poxviruses" is derived from the term "pox", which is an ancient term used to describe a variety of infectious diseases characterized by skin eruptions or lesions. The term "pox" originated from the Old English word "pocca", meaning "pustule" or "boil", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "puhha", meaning "blister". The word "viruses" refers to submicroscopic infectious agents that can replicate only inside living cells. Therefore, "poxviruses" refers to a group of viruses that cause diseases characterized by skin lesions, similar to traditional "pox" infections.
