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Semergen 2024
Topics: Humans; Mpox (monkeypox)
PubMed: 38159343
DOI: 10.1016/j.semerg.2023.102126 -
Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy Oct 2022Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis, with symptoms similar to those seen in smallpox patients, although the clinical presentation may be less severe. Until recently, human...
INTRODUCTION
Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis, with symptoms similar to those seen in smallpox patients, although the clinical presentation may be less severe. Until recently, human monkeypox infection was rare, and primarily occurred in Central and West Africa.
AREAS COVERED
An international outbreak began in May 2022, and monkeypox has now been detected on every continent except Antarctica. The first recognized case from the current outbreak was confirmed in the United Kingdom on 6 May 2022, in an adult with travel links to Nigeria, but it has been suggested that cases had been spreading in Europe for months. On 23 July 2022 the Director-General of the World Health Organization declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
EXPERT OPINION
There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox virus infections. However, monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, and therapeutics developed to combat smallpox may be used to treat monkeypox. This manuscripts reviews what is known about these potential treatments, including tecovirimat and brincidofovir, based on a literature search of PubMed through 9 August 2022, and explores how these therapeutics may be used in the future to address the expanding monkeypox pandemic.
Topics: Adult; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Mpox (monkeypox); Monkeypox virus; Public Health; Smallpox
PubMed: 35953443
DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2022.2113058 -
Internal Medicine Journal Dec 2022
Topics: Humans; Mpox (monkeypox); Disease Outbreaks
PubMed: 37133370
DOI: 10.1111/imj.15972 -
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 -
Bulletin of the World Health... Sep 2020
Topics: Humans; Models, Theoretical; Mpox (monkeypox); Smallpox
PubMed: 33012864
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.19.242347 -
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 Medical Virology Jan 2023As of September 11, 2022, 57 669 reports of monkeypox infection raised global concern. Previous vaccinia virus vaccination can protect from monkeypox. However, after... (Review)
Review
As of September 11, 2022, 57 669 reports of monkeypox infection raised global concern. Previous vaccinia virus vaccination can protect from monkeypox. However, after smallpox eradication, immunization against that was stopped. Indeed, therapeutic options following the disease onset are of great value. This study aimed to review the available evidence on virology and treatment approaches for monkeypox and provide guidance for patient care and future studies. Since no randomized clinical trials were ever performed, we reviewed monkeypox animal model studies and clinical trials on the safety and pharmacokinetics of available medications. Brincidofovir and tecovirimat were the most studied medications that got approval for smallpox treatment according to the Animal Rule. Due to the conserved virology among Orthopoxviruses, available medications might also be effective against monkeypox. However, tecovirimat has the strongest evidence to be effective and safe for monkeypox treatment, and if there is a choice between the two drugs, tecovirimat has shown more promise so far. The risk of resistance should be considered in patients who failed to respond to tecovirimat. Hence, the target-based design of novel antivirals will enhance the availability and spectrum of effective anti-Orthopoxvirus agents.
Topics: Animals; Mpox (monkeypox); Smallpox; Orthopoxvirus; Vaccination; Benzamides; Isoindoles
PubMed: 36253931
DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28229 -
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 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Nov 2019
Topics: Biomarkers; Humans; Smallpox; Vaccines; Vaccinia; Vaccinia virus
PubMed: 31722158
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMe1913048 -
Viruses Dec 2022Considering that vaccination against smallpox with live vaccinia virus led to serious adverse effects in some cases, the WHO, after declaration of the global eradication... (Review)
Review
Considering that vaccination against smallpox with live vaccinia virus led to serious adverse effects in some cases, the WHO, after declaration of the global eradication of smallpox in 1980, strongly recommended to discontinue the vaccination in all countries. This led to the loss of immunity against not only smallpox but also other zoonotic orthopoxvirus infections in humans over the past years. An increasing number of human infections with zoonotic orthopoxviruses and, first of all, monkeypox, force us to reconsider a possible re-emergence of smallpox or a similar disease as a result of natural evolution of these viruses. The review contains a brief analysis of the results of studies on genomic organization and evolution of human pathogenic orthopoxviruses, development of modern methods for diagnosis, vaccination, and chemotherapy of smallpox, monkeypox, and other zoonotic human orthopoxvirus infections.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Smallpox; Mpox (monkeypox); Variola virus; Poxviridae Infections; Orthopoxvirus; Zoonoses; Monkeypox virus
PubMed: 36680142
DOI: 10.3390/v15010103