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BMJ Open Jun 2024The surge of public health emergencies over the past decade has disproportionately affected sub-Saharan Africa. These include outbreaks of infectious diseases such as... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
The surge of public health emergencies over the past decade has disproportionately affected sub-Saharan Africa. These include outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Ebola, Monkeypox and COVID-19. Experience has shown that community participation is key to the successful implementation of infection control activities. Despite the pivotal role community engagement plays in epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response activities, strategies to engage communities have been underexplored to date, particularly in sub-Sahara Africa. Furthermore, reviews conducted have not included evidence from the latest pandemic, COVID-19. This scoping review aims to address these gaps by documenting through available literature, the strategies for community engagement for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response in sub-Sahara Africa.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
We will use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews and the methodological framework for scoping reviews from Arksey and O'Malley to guide the review. Two reviewers will develop a systematic search strategy to identify articles published from January 2014 to date. We will retrieve peer-reviewed research published in the English language from databases including Embase, EBSCO-host, PubMed, Global Health, CINAHL, Google Scholar and Web of Science. Additionally, we will search for relevant grey literature from the websites of specific international organisations, public health institutes and Government Ministries of Health in African countries. After the removal of duplicates, the two reviewers will independently screen all titles, abstracts and full articles to establish the relevance of each study for inclusion in the review. We will extract data from the included articles using a data extraction tool and present the findings in tabular form with an accompanying narrative to aid comprehension.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
Ethical approval is not required for the conduct of scoping reviews. We plan to disseminate the findings from this review through publications in a peer-reviewed journal, presentations at conferences and meetings with policy-makers.
Topics: Humans; Africa South of the Sahara; COVID-19; Pandemics; Community Participation; SARS-CoV-2; Research Design; Public Health; Epidemics; Review Literature as Topic; Pandemic Preparedness
PubMed: 38839384
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082757 -
Veterinary Medicine International 2024This review delves into the historical context, current epidemiological landscape, genomics, and pathobiology of monkeypox virus (MPXV). Furthermore, it elucidates the... (Review)
Review
This review delves into the historical context, current epidemiological landscape, genomics, and pathobiology of monkeypox virus (MPXV). Furthermore, it elucidates the present vaccination status and strategies to curb the spread of monkeypox. Monkeypox, caused by the known as MPXV, is a zoonotic ailment. MPXV can be transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face interactions. While many cases of monkeypox are self-limiting, vulnerable groups such as young children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals may experience severe manifestations. Diagnosis predominantly relies on clinical presentations, complemented by laboratory techniques like RT-PCR. Although treatment is often not required, severe cases necessitate antiviral medications like tecovirimat, cidofovir, and brincidofovir. Vaccination, particularly using the smallpox vaccine, has proven instrumental in outbreak control, exhibiting an efficacy of at least 85% against mpox as evidenced by data from Africa. Mitigating transmission requires measures like wearing surgical masks, adequately covering skin lesions, and avoiding handling wild animals.
PubMed: 38836166
DOI: 10.1155/2024/8839830 -
Journal of Clinical Virology : the... Aug 2024A global mpox outbreak occurred in 2022, and a domestic outbreak started in South Korea in April 2023. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, viral...
BACKGROUND
A global mpox outbreak occurred in 2022, and a domestic outbreak started in South Korea in April 2023. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, viral shedding, and immune response of mpox in South Korea.
METHODS
Patients hospitalized with mpox in the National Medical Center between September 2022 and June 2023 were included in this study. Oropharyngeal (OP), anogenital lesion (AL), and skin lesion (SL) swabs and blood samples were collected, and monkeypox virus (MPXV) DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and culture assays were performed. Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against MPXV A.2.1, B.1.1, and B.1.3 were detected using plaque reduction neutralization tests.
RESULTS
Eighteen patients were enrolled, of whom 17 (94.4 %) were male, with a median (IQR) age of 32.5 (24-51) years. While nine (50 %) were HIV-infected individuals, none of them revealed CD4+ counts less than 200 cells/μL. MPXV DNA was detected in 87.3 % and 82.7 % of patient's ALs and SLs, respectively, until 2 weeks after symptom onset. While MPXV was isolated for up to 15 days in all three sample types, the culture positivity decreased to 53.8 % and 42.9 % in ALs and SLs after 10 days, respectively, and 28.6 % and 22.2 %, respectively, after 2 weeks from symptom onset. The NAb titers against MPXV A.2.1 were significantly lower than those against B.1.1 and B.1.3.
CONCLUSIONS
Infectious MPXV was isolated from various anatomical sites up to 15 days after symptom onset. The MPXV NAb response was varied among different lineages, and this implies limited cross-lineage protection.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Adult; Republic of Korea; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Middle Aged; Virus Shedding; Young Adult; Antibodies, Viral; Disease Outbreaks; DNA, Viral
PubMed: 38830304
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2024.105692 -
Immunologic Research Jun 2024Monkeypox cases continue to increase globally, and there is an urgent need to develop a highly effective vaccine against monkeypox. This study investigated the binding...
Monkeypox cases continue to increase globally, and there is an urgent need to develop a highly effective vaccine against monkeypox. This study investigated the binding and authentic-virus neutralizing activities of sera from mice immunized with EEV (extracellularly enveloped viruses) antigens B6R and A35R, and IMV (intrinsic material viruses) antigens M1R, A29L, E8L, and H3L against monkeypox virus. The results showed that immunizations of A35R and E8L could only induce lower titers of binding antibodies, in contrast, immunization of M1R induced the highest titers of binding antibodies, while immunization of B6R, H3L, and A29L induced moderate titers of binding antibodies. For the live monkeypox virus neutralization assay, the results showed that immunization with two doses of EEV antigen B6R did not effectively induce humoral immune responses to neutralize monkeypox live virus, immunization with EEV-A35R only induced weak monkeypox-neutralizing antibodies. In contrast, the immunization of the four types of monkeypox virus IMV antigens can all induce neutralizing antibodies against authentic monkeypox virus, among them, A29L and H3L induced the highest neutralizing antibody titers. The results of this study provide important references for the selection of antigens in the development of the next generation of monkeypox vaccines.
PubMed: 38829493
DOI: 10.1007/s12026-024-09499-0 -
Infectious Medicine Jun 2024In 2022, just before the COVID-19 pandemic ended, many countries noticed a viral monkeypox outbreak. Monkeypox virus, a zoonotic pathogen, causes a febrile illness in... (Review)
Review
In 2022, just before the COVID-19 pandemic ended, many countries noticed a viral monkeypox outbreak. Monkeypox virus, a zoonotic pathogen, causes a febrile illness in humans and resembles smallpox. Prevention strategies encompass vaccination, strict infection control measures, and avoiding contact with infected persons. As monkeypox and related poxviruses continue to pose challenges, ongoing surveillance, early diagnosis, prompt isolation, and effective control measures are crucial for limiting transmission and mitigating the impact of outbreaks on public health. This review provides valuable insights into the evolution of the monkeypox virus and its various modes of transmission, including postmortem transmission, and offers an overall perspective on the guidelines issued by the Government of India to prevent and effectively control the spread of this disease.
PubMed: 38827561
DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2024.100105 -
Virus Evolution 2024Monkeypox (MPOX), a zoonotic disease originating in Western and Central Africa in 1970, has seen a recent surge in outbreaks across 100+ countries. A comparative...
Monkeypox (MPOX), a zoonotic disease originating in Western and Central Africa in 1970, has seen a recent surge in outbreaks across 100+ countries. A comparative analysis of 404 Monkeypox virus (MPXV) genomes revealed notable changes in microsatellite abundance and density, especially within Clades I, IIa, and IIb. Each clade exhibited unique microsatellite motifs, with twenty-six conserved loci specific to MPXV, suggesting their potential as molecular markers in diagnostics. Additionally, nine genes in the MPXV genome featured ten variable hotspot microsatellite regions associated with surface protein synthesis and host control. Notably, gene OPG153, especially at the SSR locus '(ATC)n', exhibited the most pronounced variations among lineages over time and plays a role in virus pathogenesis within the host cell. These findings not only enhance our understanding of MPXV unique molecular profile but also offer valuable insights into potential pathogenic and evolutionary implications.
PubMed: 38827420
DOI: 10.1093/ve/veae043 -
Heliyon May 2024Due to the discontinuation of routine smallpox vaccination after its eradication in 1980, a large part of the human population remains naïve against smallpox and other...
Due to the discontinuation of routine smallpox vaccination after its eradication in 1980, a large part of the human population remains naïve against smallpox and other members of the orthopoxvirus genus. As a part of biosafety personnel protection programs, laboratory workers receive prophylactic vaccinations against diverse infectious agents, including smallpox. Here, we studied the levels of cross-protecting neutralizing antibodies as well as total IgG induced by either first- or third-generation smallpox vaccines against Monkeypox virus, using a clinical isolate from the 2022 outbreak. Serum neutralization tests indicated better overall neutralization capacity after vaccination with first-generation smallpox vaccines, compared to an attenuated third-generation vaccine. Results obtained from total IgG ELISA, however, did not show higher induction of orthopoxvirus-specific IgGs in first-generation vaccine recipients. Taken together, our results indicate a lower level of cross-protecting neutralizing antibodies against Monkeypox virus in recipients of third-generation smallpox vaccine compared to first-generation vaccine recipients, although total IgG levels were comparable.
PubMed: 38826712
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31490 -
Nature Communications May 2024The recent outbreak of mpox epidemic, caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), poses a new threat to global public health. Here, we initially assessed the preexisting antibody...
The recent outbreak of mpox epidemic, caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), poses a new threat to global public health. Here, we initially assessed the preexisting antibody level to the MPXV B6 protein in vaccinia vaccinees born before the end of the immunization program and then identified two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), hMB621 and hMB668, targeting distinct epitopes on B6, from one vaccinee. Binding assays demonstrate that both MAbs exhibit broad binding abilities to B6 and its orthologs in vaccinia (VACV), variola (VARV) and cowpox viruses (CPXV). Neutralizing assays reveal that the two MAbs showed potent neutralization against VACV. Animal experiments using a BALB/c female mouse model indicate that the two MAbs showed effective protection against VACV via intraperitoneal injection. Additionally, we determined the complex structure of B6 and hMB668, revealing the structural feature of B6 and the epitope of hMB668. Collectively, our study provides two promising antibody candidates for the treatment of orthopoxvirus infections, including mpox.
Topics: Animals; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Humans; Female; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Antibodies, Viral; Mice; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Epitopes; Monkeypox virus; Poxviridae Infections; Vaccinia virus; Orthopoxvirus; Mpox (monkeypox)
PubMed: 38821921
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48312-2 -
Sexually Transmitted Infections May 2024Monkeypox (mpox) was declared as a global health emergency by the WHO, with most reported cases disproportionately involving gay, bisexual and other men who have sex...
Receptiveness to monkeypox vaccines and public health communication strategies among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Singapore: cross-sectional quantitative and qualitative insights.
OBJECTIVES
Monkeypox (mpox) was declared as a global health emergency by the WHO, with most reported cases disproportionately involving gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). This study explored the willingness of Singaporean GBMSM to receive mpox vaccines and engage in changes to sexual behaviour, and analysed the factors influencing both decisions.
METHODS
An online cross-sectional study was disseminated through community groups and Grindr from September to October 2022 among GBMSM in Singapore, where we surveyed respondents' demographics, stigma associated with mpox, perceived risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and changes to sexual behaviours in response to mpox. Descriptive statistics and multivariable linear and logistics regression analyses, as well as thematic analysis of data, were also conducted.
RESULTS
237 GBMSM community members responded to the survey, with the majority being receptive to vaccine and 67.5% indicating changes to sexual behaviour in view of rising mpox infections. Predictors of vaccine receptivity among GBMSM included self-perceived mpox risk (adjusted OR (aOR)=0.44, 95% CI 0.07, 0.82) and self-perceived STI risk (aOR=0.39, 95% CI 0.03, 0.76). Predictors for changes to sexual behaviour included self-perceived mpox stigma (aOR=1.17, 95% CI 1.08, 1.27), self-perceived mpox risk (aOR=1.22, 95% CI 1.03,1.44), age (aOR=0.96, 95% CI 0.93, 1.00) and race (aOR=0.31, 95% CI 0.10, 0.93). In the thematic analysis, respondents raised concerns about vaccine effectiveness, side effects, cost and privacy.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that the rise in mpox infections have prompted changes to GBMSM's sexual practices. In general, GBMSM are willing to receive the mpox vaccine but are concerned about the physical and social consequences of uptake. These concerns should be addressed when vaccines are released.
PubMed: 38821878
DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2024-056230 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health Jul 2024Mpox is a zoonotic disease that became epidemic in multiple countries in 2022. There is a lack of published systematic reviews on natural animal infection due to Mpox.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Mpox is a zoonotic disease that became epidemic in multiple countries in 2022. There is a lack of published systematic reviews on natural animal infection due to Mpox. We performed a systematic literature review with meta-analysis to assess animal Mpox prevalence. We performed a random-effects model meta-analysis to calculate the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) for prevalence studies. After the screening, 15 reports were selected for full-text assessment and included in qualitative and quantitative analyses. Ten reports assessed Mpox infection by molecular or serological tests (n = 2680), yielding a pooled prevalence of 16.0% (95%CI: 3.0-29.0%) for non-human primates; 8.0% (95%CI: 4.0-12.0%) for rodents and 1.0% (95%CI: 0.0-3.0%) for shrews. Further studies in other animals are required to define the extent and importance of natural infection due to Mpox. These findings have implications for public human and animal health. OneHealth approach is critical for prevention and control.
Topics: Animals; Zoonoses; Prevalence; Mpox (monkeypox); Rodentia; Humans; Shrews; Primates
PubMed: 38820901
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.04.015