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Archives of Virology Aug 2023Mpox (formerly monkeypox) is a zoonotic disease caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), which, like smallpox, is characterised by skin rashes. While the world is currently... (Review)
Review
Mpox (formerly monkeypox) is a zoonotic disease caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), which, like smallpox, is characterised by skin rashes. While the world is currently grappling with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the appearance of MPXV has presented a global threat and raised concerns worldwide. Since May 2022, MPXV has spread rapidly in non-endemic mpox areas. As of 27 June 2023, the virus has spread to more than 112 countries and regions, with over 88,060 laboratory-confirmed cases and 147 deaths. Thus, measures to control the mpox epidemic are urgently needed. As the principal methods for identifying and monitoring mpox, laboratory detection techniques play an important role in mpox diagnosis. This review summarises the currently-used laboratory techniques for MPXV detection, discusses progress in improving these methods, and compares the benefits and limitations of various diagnostic detection methods. Currently, nucleic acid amplification tests, such as the polymerase chain reaction, are the most commonly used. Immunological methods have also been applied to diagnose the disease, which can help us discover new features of MPXV, improve diagnostic accuracy, track epidemic trends, and guide future prevention and control strategies, which are also vital for controlling mpox epidemics. This review provides a resource for the scientific community and should stimulate more research and development in alternative diagnostics to be applied to this and future public health crises.
Topics: Animals; COVID-19; Mpox (monkeypox); Pandemics; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Zoonoses
PubMed: 37543543
DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05848-w -
Semergen 2024
Topics: Humans; Mpox (monkeypox)
PubMed: 38159343
DOI: 10.1016/j.semerg.2023.102126 -
American Journal of Clinical Pathology Mar 2024
Topics: Humans; Monkeypox virus; Mpox (monkeypox)
PubMed: 37936264
DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqad133 -
Viruses Aug 2023Lumpy skin disease (LSD), a current global concern, causes economic devastation in livestock industries, with cattle and water buffalo reported to have higher morbidity... (Review)
Review
Lumpy skin disease (LSD), a current global concern, causes economic devastation in livestock industries, with cattle and water buffalo reported to have higher morbidity and lower mortality rates. LSD is caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a member of the Poxviridae family. It is an enzootic, rapidly explorative and sometimes fatal infection, characterized by multiple raised nodules on the skin of infected animals. It was first reported in Zambia in 1929 and is considered endemic in Africa south of the Sahara desert. It has gradually spread beyond Africa into the Middle East, with periodic occurrences in Asian and East European countries. Recently, it has been spreading in most Asian countries including far East Asia and threatens incursion to LSD-free countries. Rapid and accurate diagnostic capabilities, virus identification, vaccine development, vector control, regional and international collaborations and effective biosecurity policies are important for the control, prevention, and eradication of LSD infections. This review critically evaluates the global burden of LSD, the chronological historical outbreaks of LSD, and future directions for collaborative global actions.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Humans; Lumpy Skin Disease; Disease Outbreaks; Africa, Northern; Asia; Buffaloes; Zambia
PubMed: 37766268
DOI: 10.3390/v15091861 -
Journal of Travel Medicine Sep 2023Viral load dynamics and shedding kinetics are critical factors for studying infectious diseases. However, evidence on the viral dynamics of mpox remains limited and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Viral load dynamics and shedding kinetics are critical factors for studying infectious diseases. However, evidence on the viral dynamics of mpox remains limited and inconclusive. Thus, we aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the viral load and viability of the re-emerged mpox virus since 2022.
METHODS
For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and Google Scholar for published articles that are related to mpox viral dynamics up to April 2023.
RESULTS
From 19 studies, 880 samples and 1477 specimens were collected. The pooled median Ct values appeared in the following order: skin lesion [Ct value 21.7 (IQR 17.8-25.5)], anorectal [22.3 (16.9-27.6)], saliva [25.9 (22.5-31.1)], oral [29.0 (24.5-32.8)], semen [29.6 (25.9-33.4)], urine [30.5 (24.6-36.4)], pharyngeal [31.9 (26.5-37.3)], urethra [33.0 (28.0-35.0)] and blood [33.2 (30.4-36.1)]. People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have a lower Ct value in the skin [skin HIV+, 19.2 (18.3-20.0) vs skin HIV-, 25.4 (21.2-29.0)]. From the Ct values and test day since symptom onset, we identified temporal trends of viral load for each specimen type. Changes in the trend were observed at 4 days in saliva, 5 days in blood, 6 days in skin, 7 days in anorectal, urine, semen and pharyngeal and 8 days in the urethra. We determined optimal Ct cutoff values for anorectal (34.0), saliva (27.7) and urethra (33.0) specimens, where a Ct value above each cutoff suggests minimal viral viability. Using these cutoff values, we derived the duration of viable viral isolation in each specific specimen type (anorectal 19 days, saliva 14 days and urethra 14 days).
CONCLUSION
Skin lesion, anorectal and saliva samples contained the highest viral load. The peak viral load manifests within 4-8 days after symptom onset, and viable virus detection was presumed to cease within 14-19 days from symptom onset in anorectal, saliva and urethral samples.
Topics: Humans; Viral Load; Kinetics; Mpox (monkeypox); Semen; HIV Infections
PubMed: 37581603
DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taad111 -
Enfermedades Infecciosas Y... Dec 2023Monkeypox is a zoonosis that is spread mainly through direct contact with fluids and skin lesions of infected people with vesicles still active. Although the virus was... (Review)
Review
Monkeypox is a zoonosis that is spread mainly through direct contact with fluids and skin lesions of infected people with vesicles still active. Although the virus was isolated for the first time in 1958 and the first human case was identified in a child in 1970, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the disease has progressively increased its incidence in Africa reaching in May 2022 sustained transmission outside this continent. As it is a newly introduced virus in our health system, it is necessary to learn the epidemiological pattern in a different environment from that of traditionally endemic areas and to know the available antiviral treatments, as well as the prophylactic measures that could be considered, knowing that as a virus emerging in our regions, scientific evidence is still limited. There are antivirals that have been shown, in animal models, to effectively combat the disease with very good clinical tolerance. This disease has also forced us to review the characteristics of smallpox vaccines, because they have shown a protective effect against monkeypox. For this reason, it is important to have a document that compiles all the scientific information published in this regard.
Topics: Child; Animals; Humans; Mpox (monkeypox); Monkeypox virus; Smallpox Vaccine; Africa; Incidence
PubMed: 36624034
DOI: 10.1016/j.eimce.2022.12.010 -
Journal of Molecular Biology Aug 2023Although one member of the poxvirus family, variola virus, has caused one of the most devastating human infections worldwide, smallpox, the knowledge gained over the... (Review)
Review
Although one member of the poxvirus family, variola virus, has caused one of the most devastating human infections worldwide, smallpox, the knowledge gained over the last 30 years on the molecular, virological and immunological mechanisms of these viruses has allowed the use of members of this family as vectors for the generation of recombinant vaccines against numerous pathogens. In this review, we cover different aspects of the history and biology of poxviruses with emphasis on their application as vaccines, from first- to fourth-generation, against smallpox, monkeypox, emerging viral diseases highlighted by the World Health Organization (COVID-19, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Ebola and Marburg virus diseases, Lassa fever, Middle East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome, Nipah and other henipaviral diseases, Rift Valley fever and Zika), as well as against one of the most concerning prevalent virus, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the causative agent of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. We discuss the implications in human health of the 2022 monkeypox epidemic affecting many countries, and the rapid prophylactic and therapeutic measures adopted to control virus dissemination within the human population. We also describe the preclinical and clinical evaluation of the Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara and New York vaccinia virus poxviral strains expressing heterologous antigens from the viral diseases listed above. Finally, we report different approaches to improve the immunogenicity and efficacy of poxvirus-based vaccine candidates, such as deletion of immunomodulatory genes, insertion of host-range genes and enhanced transcription of foreign genes through modified viral promoters. Some future prospects are also highlighted.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; COVID-19; Genetic Vectors; Mpox (monkeypox); Poxviridae; Smallpox; Vaccines, Attenuated; Vaccinia virus; Viral Vaccines; Virus Diseases; Zika Virus; Zika Virus Infection
PubMed: 37301278
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168173 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health Aug 2023The end of smallpox in 1980 and the subsequent stopping of vaccination against smallpox was followed by the emergence of monkeypox (mpox), a viral disease of animal... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The end of smallpox in 1980 and the subsequent stopping of vaccination against smallpox was followed by the emergence of monkeypox (mpox), a viral disease of animal origin, meaning that it is transmitted from animal to human. The symptoms of mpox are similar to smallpox, except that they are less severe in terms of clinical features. In the case of public health, the mpox virus is one of the most important orthopoxviruses (such as variola, cowpox, and vaccinia) that come from the family Poxviridae. Mpox occurs mostly in central Africa and sometimes in tropical rainforests or some urban areas. Also, there are threats other than COVID-19, that must be addressed and prevented from spreading, as there has been an outbreak of mpox cases since May 7, 2022, throughout the USA, Europe, Australia, and part of Africa.
OBJECTIVES
In this review, we will discuss mpox between the past, the present and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, it offers an updated summary of the taxonomy, etiology, transmission, and epidemiology of mpox illness. In addition, the current review aims to highlight the importance of emerging pandemics in the same era such as mpox and COVID-19.
METHODS
A literature search was done for the study using online sources like PubMed and Google Scholar. Publications in English were included. Data for study variables were extracted. After the duplicate articles were eliminated, full-text screening was performed on the papers' titles and abstracts.
RESULTS
The evaluation included a series documenting mpox virus outbreaks, and both prospective and retrospectiveinvestigations.
CONCLUSIONS
monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), which is primarily found in central and western Africa. The disease is transmitted from animals to humans and presents symptoms similar to those of smallpox, including fever, headache, muscle aches, and a rash. Monkeypox can lead to complications such as secondary integument infection, bronchopneumonia, sepsis, and encephalitis, as well as corneal infection that can result in blindness. There is no specific clinically proven treatment for monkeypox, and treatment is primarily supportive. However, antiviral drugs and vaccines are available for cross-protection against the virus, and strict infection control measures and vaccination of close contacts of affected individuals can help prevent and control outbreaks.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mpox (monkeypox); Monkeypox virus; Smallpox; COVID-19; Pandemics; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 37269693
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.05.013 -
Journal of Medical Virology Aug 2023The emerging outbreak of monkeypox is closely associated with the viral infection and spreading, threatening global public health. Virus-induced cell migration...
The emerging outbreak of monkeypox is closely associated with the viral infection and spreading, threatening global public health. Virus-induced cell migration facilitates viral transmission. However, the mechanism underlying this type of cell migration remains unclear. Here we investigate the motility of cells infected by vaccinia virus (VACV), a close relative of monkeypox, through combining multi-omics analyses and high-resolution live-cell imaging. We find that, upon VACV infection, the epithelial cells undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like transformation, during which they lose intercellular junctions and acquire the migratory capacity to promote viral spreading. After transformation, VACV-hijacked RhoA signaling significantly alters cellular morphology and rearranges the actin cytoskeleton involving the depolymerization of robust actin stress fibers, leading-edge protrusion formation, and the rear-edge recontraction, which coordinates VACV-induced cell migration. Our study reveals how poxviruses alter the epithelial phenotype and regulate RhoA signaling to induce fast migration, providing a unique perspective to understand the pathogenesis of poxviruses.
Topics: Humans; Vaccinia virus; Mpox (monkeypox); Cell Movement; Disease Outbreaks; Epithelial Cells
PubMed: 37621182
DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29041 -
The British Journal of Dermatology Aug 2023