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Infectious Disease Clinics of North... Dec 2019Recently, concern has been raised about the emergence of human monkeypox virus and the occasionally severe clinical presentation bearing resemblance to that of smallpox.... (Review)
Review
Recently, concern has been raised about the emergence of human monkeypox virus and the occasionally severe clinical presentation bearing resemblance to that of smallpox. In 2018 3 patients in the UK were diagnosed with monkeypox, and the frequency and geographic distribution of cases across West and Central Africa have increased in recent years. In Nigeria, most monkeypox patients are aged <40 years and lack cross-protective immunity because they were born after discontinuation of the smallpox eradication campaign. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical features, and management of monkeypox and discusses its growing public health threat in this context.
Topics: Africa; Animals; Humans; Mpox (monkeypox); Monkeypox virus; Risk Factors; Zoonoses
PubMed: 30981594
DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2019.03.001 -
American Family Physician Oct 2021Bioterrorism is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, toxins, or fungi with the goal of causing panic, mass casualties, or severe economic disruption. From 1981... (Review)
Review
Bioterrorism is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, toxins, or fungi with the goal of causing panic, mass casualties, or severe economic disruption. From 1981 to 2018, there were 37 bioterrorist attacks worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists anthrax, botulism, plague, smallpox, tularemia, and viral hemorrhagic fevers as category A agents that are the greatest risk to national security. An emerging infectious disease (e.g., novel respiratory virus) may also be used as a biological agent. Clinicians may be the first to recognize a bioterrorism-related illness by noting an unusual presentation, location, timing, or severity of disease. Public health authorities should be notified when a biological agent is recognized or suspected. Treatment includes proper isolation and administration of antimicrobial or antitoxin agents in consultation with regional medical authorities and the CDC. Vaccinations for biological agents are not routinely administered except for smallpox, anthrax, and Ebola disease for people at high risk of exposure. The American Academy of Family Physicians, the CDC, and other organizations provide bioterrorism training and response resources for clinicians and communities. Clinicians should be aware of bioterrorism resources.
Topics: Biological Warfare Agents; Bioterrorism; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; Humans; United States; Vaccines
PubMed: 34652097
DOI: No ID Found -
Viruses Nov 2020Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), which is a member of orthopoxvirus genus. The reemergence of MPXV in 2017 (at Bayelsa state) after 39... (Review)
Review
Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), which is a member of orthopoxvirus genus. The reemergence of MPXV in 2017 (at Bayelsa state) after 39 years of no reported case in Nigeria, and the export of travelers' monkeypox (MPX) from Nigeria to other parts of the world, in 2018 and 2019, respectively, have raised concern that MPXV may have emerged to occupy the ecological and immunological niche vacated by smallpox virus. This review X-rays the current state of knowledge pertaining the infection biology, epidemiology, and evolution of MPXV in Nigeria and worldwide, especially with regard to the human, cellular, and viral factors that modulate the virus transmission dynamics, infection, and its maintenance in nature. This paper also elucidates the role of recombination, gene loss and gene gain in MPXV evolution, chronicles the role of signaling in MPXV infection, and reviews the current therapeutic options available for the treatment and prevention of MPX. Additionally, genome-wide phylogenetic analysis was undertaken, and we show that MPXV isolates from recent 2017 outbreak in Nigeria were monophyletic with the isolate exported to Israel from Nigeria but do not share the most recent common ancestor with isolates obtained from earlier outbreaks, in 1971 and 1978, respectively. Finally, the review highlighted gaps in knowledge particularly the non-identification of a definitive reservoir host animal for MPXV and proposed future research endeavors to address the unresolved questions.
Topics: Animals; DNA, Viral; Evolution, Molecular; Humans; Mice; Mpox (monkeypox); Monkeypox virus; Nigeria; Phylogeny; Recombination, Genetic; Viral Zoonoses
PubMed: 33167496
DOI: 10.3390/v12111257 -
Indian Journal of Pediatrics Oct 2022Monkeypox is caused by a pox virus closely related to smallpox virus and spreads from animals to humans, and humans to humans following close contact. Prior smallpox... (Review)
Review
Monkeypox is caused by a pox virus closely related to smallpox virus and spreads from animals to humans, and humans to humans following close contact. Prior smallpox vaccination gives partial protection against monkeypox. The steady increase in monkeypox cases in Africa over the past few decades were ignored by the global scientific community till this year, when more than 16,000 cases have been reported from nonendemic countries. Monkeypox has recently been labelled as a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO. While most of the current cases are in men who have sex with men, there is the larger threat of the disease spilling into the general population. The disease is characterized by a short febrile illness with lymphadenopathy followed by a rash which spreads centrifugally and passes through phases of macules, papules, vesicles, and pustules. Recovery occurs in most patients within 2-4 wk. Complications are more likely in children, pregnant women, and the immunocompromised. Specific diagnosis is by detection of viral DNA by PCR. Treatment is largely symptomatic. Tecorivimat is a promising antiviral drug. Vaccination with the currently available smallpox vaccines is recommended for high-risk groups, health care workers, and close contacts. Control of the monkeypox outbreak needs a multipronged effort comprising enhanced surveillance, quick diagnosis, isolation of affected people, ring immunization, and adoption of "one health" approach.
Topics: Animals; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Pregnancy; Antiviral Agents; DNA, Viral; Homosexuality, Male; Mpox (monkeypox); Sexual and Gender Minorities; Smallpox; Smallpox Vaccine
PubMed: 35947269
DOI: 10.1007/s12098-022-04348-0 -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... Oct 2021Vaccination during pregnancy is important for active immunity of the mother against serious infectious diseases, and also for passive immunity of the neonate to... (Review)
Review
Vaccination during pregnancy is important for active immunity of the mother against serious infectious diseases, and also for passive immunity of the neonate to infectious diseases with high morbidity and mortality. As a rule, live vaccines are contraindicated during pregnancy as they may cause fetal viremia/bacteremia. Inactivated vaccines are generally safe. Vaccines safe to be administered to all pregnant ladies are tetanus toxoid (TT; tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) and Flu vaccines. During pre-pregnancy counselling, vaccination for MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) should be offered, with an advice to avoid pregnancy for a month. All pregnant mothers should receive TT and Tdap vaccination during the third trimester. Flu vaccine can be given to all mothers at any gestation, and if not offered during pregnancy, it can be given postpartum. Vaccinations that should be offered to women if at high risk of exposure are for hepatitis A and B, pneumococcal, meningococcal, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis (JE), polio, typhoid, and cholera infections. Vaccines to be given only for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are smallpox, rabies, and anthrax. Postpartum women should be offered human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. If not immunized earlier, they should be offered MMR, Tdap, and Flu vaccines. Future vaccines being developed are for malaria, Zika virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), group B streptococcus, CMV, and COVID-19 (SARS-Cov-2).
Topics: COVID-19; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination; Vaccines; Zika Virus; Zika Virus Infection
PubMed: 33773923
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2021.02.002 -
Emerging Microbes & Infections Dec 2022The current outbreak of monkeypox (MPX) infection has emerged as a global matter of concern in the last few months. MPX is a zoonosis caused by the MPX virus (MPXV),... (Review)
Review
The current outbreak of monkeypox (MPX) infection has emerged as a global matter of concern in the last few months. MPX is a zoonosis caused by the MPX virus (MPXV), which is one of the species. Thus, it is similar to smallpox caused by the variola virus, and smallpox vaccines and drugs have been shown to be protective against MPX. Although MPX is not a new disease and is rarely fatal, the current multi-country MPX outbreak is unusual because it is occurring in countries that are not endemic for MPXV. In this work, we reviewed the extensive literature available on MPXV to summarize the available data on the major biological, clinical and epidemiological aspects of the virus and the important scientific findings. This review may be helpful in raising awareness of MPXV transmission, symptoms and signs, prevention and protective measures. It may also be of interest as a basis for performance of studies to further understand MPXV, with the goal of combating the current outbreak and boosting healthcare services and hygiene practices. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02977715.. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03745131.. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00728689.. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02080767..
Topics: Humans; Mpox (monkeypox); Smallpox; Monkeypox virus
PubMed: 36263798
DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2132882 -
Drugs Jun 2022Human monkeypox is a zoonotic orthopoxvirus with presentation similar to smallpox. Monkeypox is transmitted incidentally to humans when they encounter infected animals....
Human monkeypox is a zoonotic orthopoxvirus with presentation similar to smallpox. Monkeypox is transmitted incidentally to humans when they encounter infected animals. Reports have shown that the virus can also be transmitted through direct contact (sexual or skin-to-skin), respiratory droplets, and via fomites such as towels and bedding. Multiple medical countermeasures are stockpiled for orthopoxviruses such as monkeypox. Two vaccines are currently available, JYNNEOS (live, replication incompetent vaccinia virus) and ACAM2000 (live, replication competent vaccinia virus). While most cases of monkeypox will have mild and self-limited disease, with supportive care being typically sufficient, antivirals (e.g. tecovirimat, brincidofovir, cidofovir) and vaccinia immune globulin intravenous (VIGIV) are available as treatments. Antivirals can be considered in severe disease, immunocompromised patients, pediatrics, pregnant and breastfeeding women, complicated lesions, and when lesions appear near the mouth, eyes, and genitals. The purpose of this short review is to describe each of these countermeasures.
Topics: Animals; Antiviral Agents; Child; Cidofovir; Female; Humans; Mpox (monkeypox); Pregnancy; Smallpox; Vaccinia virus
PubMed: 35763248
DOI: 10.1007/s40265-022-01742-y -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Dec 2022Human monkeypox is a viral zoonosis endemic to West and Central Africa that has recently generated increased interest and concern on a global scale as an emerging... (Review)
Review
Human monkeypox is a viral zoonosis endemic to West and Central Africa that has recently generated increased interest and concern on a global scale as an emerging infectious disease threat in the midst of the slowly relenting COVID-2019 disease pandemic. The hallmark of infection is the development of a flu-like prodrome followed by the appearance of a smallpox-like exanthem. Precipitous person-to-person transmission of the virus among residents of 100 countries where it is nonendemic has motivated the immediate and widespread implementation of public health countermeasures. In this review, we discuss the origins and virology of monkeypox virus, its link with smallpox eradication, its record of causing outbreaks of human disease in regions where it is endemic in wildlife, its association with outbreaks in areas where it is nonendemic, the clinical manifestations of disease, laboratory diagnostic methods, case management, public health interventions, and future directions.
Topics: Humans; Monkeypox virus; Mpox (monkeypox); Smallpox; COVID-19; Africa, Central
PubMed: 36374082
DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00092-22 -
Journal of Autoimmunity Jul 2022Following two reports of monkeypox virus infection in individuals who returned from Nigeria to the USA, one who returned to Texas (July 2021) and the other to the... (Review)
Review
Following two reports of monkeypox virus infection in individuals who returned from Nigeria to the USA, one who returned to Texas (July 2021) and the other to the Washington, DC area (November 2021), the number of monkeypox infection have dramatically increased. This sounded an alarm of potential for spreading of the virus throughout the USA. During 2022, there was a report of monkeypox virus infection (May 6, 2022) in a British national following a visit to Nigeria who developed readily recognizable signs and symptoms of monkeypox virus infection. Soon following this report, case numbers climbed. By June 10, 2022, more than 1,500 cases were reported in 43 countries, including Europe and North America. While the prevalence of the monkeypox virus is well known in central and western Africa, its presence in the developed world has raised disturbing signs for worldwide spread. While infection was reported during the past half-century, starting in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, in the United States, only sporadic monkeypox cases have been reported. All cases have been linked to international travel or through African animal imports. The monkeypox virus is transmitted through contact with infected skin, body fluids, or respiratory droplets. The virus spreads from oral and nasopharyngeal fluid exchanges or by intradermal injection; then rapidly replicates at the inoculation site with spreads to adjacent lymph nodes. Monkeypox disease begins with constitutional symptoms that include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, backache, and fatigue. Phylogenetically the virus has two clades. One clade emerged from West Africa and the other in the Congo Basin of Central Africa. During the most recent outbreak, the identity of the reservoir host or the primary carriage remains unknown. African rodents are the suspected intermediate hosts. At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) affirmed that there are no specific treatments for the 2022 monkeypox virus infection; existing antivirals shown to be effective against smallpox may slow monkeypox spread. A smallpox vaccine JYNNEOS (Imvamune or Imvanex) may also be used to prevent infection. The World Health Organization (WHO), has warned that the world could be facing a formidable infectious disease challenge in light of the current status of worldwide affairs. These affairs include the SARS-COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war. In addition, the recent rise in case of numbers worldwide could continue to pose an international threat. With this in mind, strategies to mitigate the spread of monkeypox virus are warranted.
Topics: Animals; COVID-19; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Mpox (monkeypox); Monkeypox virus; Pandemics
PubMed: 35760647
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2022.102855 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health Apr 2023Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Poxviridae family of the genus Orthopoxvirus with two different clades known as West African and... (Review)
Review
Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Poxviridae family of the genus Orthopoxvirus with two different clades known as West African and Congo Basin. Monkeypox (MPX) is a zoonosis that arises from the MPXV and causes a smallpox-like disease. The endemic disease status of MPX was updated to an outbreak worldwide in 2022. Thus, the condition was declared a global health emergency independent of travel issues, accounting for the primary reason for its prevalence outside Africa. In addition to identified transmission mediators through animal-to-human and human-to-human, especially sexual transmission among men who have sex with men came to prominence in the 2022 global outbreak. Although the severity and prevalence of the disease differ depending on age and gender, some symptoms are commonly observed. Clinical signs such as fever, muscle and headache pain, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rashes in defined body regions are standard and an indicator for the first step of diagnosis. By following the clinical signs, laboratory diagnostic tests like conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or real-time PCR (RT-PCR) are the most common and accurate diagnostic methods. Antiviral drugs such as tecovirimat, cidofovir, and brincidofovir are used for symptomatic treatment. There is no MPXV-specific vaccine; however, currently available vaccines against smallpox enhance the immunization rate. This comprehensive review covers the MPX disease history and the current state of knowledge by assessing broad topics and views related to disease origin, transmission, epidemiology, severity, genome organization and evolution, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Topics: Male; Animals; Humans; Monkeypox virus; Mpox (monkeypox); Antiviral Agents; Smallpox; Homosexuality, Male; Sexual and Gender Minorities
PubMed: 36801633
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.02.003