Which sequence correctly describes the pathogenesis of Vesicular Stomatitis?

Which sequence correctly describes the pathogenesis of Vesicular Stomatitis?

• A. virus is spread via saliva; virus inoculated into skin; replicated in lower layer of epidermis; hematogenous spread; 1-3d incubation
• B. virus inoculated into skin; virus is spread via saliva; replicated in lower layer of epidermis; hematogenous spread; 1-3d incubation
• C. virus inoculated into skin; replication occurs in upper epidermis; no hematogenous spread; incubation 7-10 days
• D. virus is spread via saliva; incubation 1-3 days; virus inoculated into skin; hematogenous spread; replicated in lower layer of epidermis

Answer: (A)

Vesicular stomatitis starts when the virus is deposited into the skin, where it begins multiplying in epidermal keratinocytes. The replication occurs in the lower layers of the epidermis, leading to local vesicle formation at the entry site. After this initial replication, the virus enters the bloodstream, causing viremia that allows the infection to disseminate to other epithelial surfaces, including mucous membranes, producing vesicles there as well. The incubation period is short, typically about 1–3 days, which fits a rapid progression from inoculation to systemic spread and lesion development. This sequence aligns with the pathogenesis because it places the initial event in the skin, then replication in the lower epidermis, followed by hematogenous spread and a short incubation period before lesions appear. It also reflects why transmission via saliva matters for spread between animals, not the within-host sequence, and why replication in the upper epidermis or no hematogenous spread would not produce the characteristic disseminated vesicular disease.

Vesicular stomatitis starts when the virus is deposited into the skin, where it begins multiplying in epidermal keratinocytes. The replication occurs in the lower layers of the epidermis, leading to local vesicle formation at the entry site. After this initial replication, the virus enters the bloodstream, causing viremia that allows the infection to disseminate to other epithelial surfaces, including mucous membranes, producing vesicles there as well. The incubation period is short, typically about 1–3 days, which fits a rapid progression from inoculation to systemic spread and lesion development.

This sequence aligns with the pathogenesis because it places the initial event in the skin, then replication in the lower epidermis, followed by hematogenous spread and a short incubation period before lesions appear. It also reflects why transmission via saliva matters for spread between animals, not the within-host sequence, and why replication in the upper epidermis or no hematogenous spread would not produce the characteristic disseminated vesicular disease.