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Bulletin of the World Health... Sep 2020
Topics: Humans; Models, Theoretical; Mpox (monkeypox); Smallpox
PubMed: 33012864
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.19.242347 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2022Monkeypox is a zoonotic infectious disease belonging to the orthopoxvirus family that has predominantly occurred in West and Central Africa since it was initially... (Review)
Review
Monkeypox is a zoonotic infectious disease belonging to the orthopoxvirus family that has predominantly occurred in West and Central Africa since it was initially discovered in 1958. In May 2022, a global outbreak of monkeypox began to occur on an international scale, with case numbers still rising as this review is being written. This mini review sought to analyze the existing literature on monkeypox published from 2017 onward to provide epidemiological context to current outbreaks. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were used to gather both peer-reviewed and grey literature on the routes of transmission, case definitions, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, management, prevention, vaccination, and epidemiology of monkeypox. Epidemiological studies indicate that the age of onset of monkeypox has increased over time. Antivirals, such as Tecovirimat and Brincidofovir, are recommended to manage confirmed cases of monkeypox. Although mass vaccination is not currently recommended, the smallpox vaccine can be used as a preventative measure for at-risk groups, such as men who have sex with men and frontline healthcare workers. Further peer-reviewed research addressing animal reservoirs and sexual transmission dynamics is needed.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Male; Orthopoxvirus; Homosexuality, Male; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Mpox (monkeypox); Zoonoses; Communicable Diseases
PubMed: 36497758
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315684 -
Journal of Microbiology, Immunology,... Oct 2022Monkeypox virus (MPXV), genetic closely linked to the notorious variola (smallpox) virus, currently causes several clusters and outbreaks in the areas outside Africa and...
Monkeypox virus (MPXV), genetic closely linked to the notorious variola (smallpox) virus, currently causes several clusters and outbreaks in the areas outside Africa and is noted to be phylogenetically related to the West African clade. To prepare for the upsurge of the cases of monkeypox in the Europe and North America, two vaccines, Jynneos® in the U.S. (Imvamune® in Canada or Imvanex® in the Europe) and ACAM2000® (Acambis, Inc.) initially developed in the smallpox eradication program, can provide protective immunity to monkeypox, and their production and availability are rapidly scaled up in the response to the emerging threat. So far, these two vaccines are recommended for people at a high risk for monkeypox, instead of universal vaccination. Tecovirimat, an inhibitor of extracellular virus formation, and brincidofovir, a lipid conjugate of cidofovir, both are in vitro and in vivo active against MPXV, and are suggested for immunocompromised persons, who are at risk to develop severe diseases. However, current general consensus in the response to the monkeypox outbreak among public health systems is early identification and isolation of infected patients to prevent its spread.
Topics: Humans; Mpox (monkeypox); Smallpox; Antiviral Agents; Cidofovir; Monkeypox virus; Lipids
PubMed: 36115792
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2022.08.016 -
MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly... Oct 2022As of October 11, 2022, a total of 26,577 monkeypox cases had been reported in the United States.* Although most cases of monkeypox are self-limited, lesions that...
As of October 11, 2022, a total of 26,577 monkeypox cases had been reported in the United States.* Although most cases of monkeypox are self-limited, lesions that involve anatomically vulnerable sites can cause complications. Ocular monkeypox can occur when Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is introduced into the eye (e.g., from autoinoculation), potentially causing conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratitis, and loss of vision (1). This report describes five patients who acquired ocular monkeypox during July-September 2022. All patients received treatment with tecovirimat (Tpoxx); four also received topical trifluridine (Viroptic). Two patients had HIV-associated immunocompromise and experienced delays between clinical presentation with monkeypox and initiation of monkeypox-directed treatment. Four patients were hospitalized, and one experienced marked vision impairment. To decrease the risk for autoinoculation, persons with monkeypox should be advised to practice hand hygiene and to avoid touching their eyes, which includes refraining from using contact lenses (2). Health care providers and public health practitioners should be aware that ocular monkeypox, although rare, is a sight-threatening condition. Patients with signs and symptoms compatible with ocular monkeypox should be considered for urgent ophthalmologic evaluation and initiation of monkeypox-directed treatment. Public health officials should be promptly notified of cases of ocular monkeypox. Increased clinician awareness of ocular monkeypox and of approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment might reduce associated morbidity.
Topics: Humans; United States; Mpox (monkeypox); Trifluridine; Monkeypox virus; Isoindoles
PubMed: 36264836
DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7142e1 -
International Immunopharmacology Dec 2022Monkeypox is a zoonotic illness caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV) that has a similar etiology to smallpox. The first case of monkeypox was reported in Western and... (Review)
Review
Monkeypox is a zoonotic illness caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV) that has a similar etiology to smallpox. The first case of monkeypox was reported in Western and Central Africa in 1971, and in 2003, there was an outbreak of monkeypox viruses outside Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), monkeypox is transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or persons exposed to infectious sores, scabs, or body fluids. Also, intimate contact between people during sex, kissing, cuddling, or touching parts of the body can result in the spreading of this disease. The use of the smallpox vaccine against monkeypox has several challenges and hence anti-virals such as cidofovir, brincidofovir, and tecovirimat have been used for the symptomatic relief of patients and reversing the lesion formation on the skin. Despite the recent outbreak of monkeypox most especially in hitherto non-endemic countries, there is still a lack of definitive treatment for monkeypox. In the present review, emphasis was focused on etiopathology, transmission, currently available therapeutic agents, and future targets that could be explored to halt the progression of monkeypox. From our review we can postulate that owing to the lack of a definitive cure to this reemerging disorder, there is a need for general awareness about the transmission as well as to develop appropriate diagnostic procedures, immunizations, and antiviral medication.
Topics: Animals; Mpox (monkeypox); Monkeypox virus; Smallpox Vaccine; Cidofovir; Antiviral Agents
PubMed: 36330915
DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109382 -
Journal of Comparative Pathology Jan 2013In the three decades since the eradication of smallpox and cessation of routine vaccination, the collective memory of the devastating epidemics caused by this... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
In the three decades since the eradication of smallpox and cessation of routine vaccination, the collective memory of the devastating epidemics caused by this orthopoxvirus has waned, and the human population has become increasingly susceptible to a disease that remains high on the list of possible bioterrorism agents. Research using surrogate orthopoxviruses in their natural hosts, as well as limited variola virus research in animal models, continues worldwide; however, interpretation of findings is often limited by our relative lack of knowledge about the naturally occurring disease. For modern comparative pathologists, many of whom have no first-hand knowledge of naturally occurring smallpox, this work provides a contemporary review of this historical disease, as well as discussion of how it compares with human monkeypox and the corresponding diseases in macaques.
Topics: Animals; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; Humans; Macaca mulatta; Mpox (monkeypox); Poxviridae; Smallpox; Species Specificity
PubMed: 22884034
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2012.06.007 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Sep 2006Monkeypox is a double-stranded DNA virus and a member of the genus Orthopoxvirus. Human monkeypox was first identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly... (Review)
Review
Monkeypox is a double-stranded DNA virus and a member of the genus Orthopoxvirus. Human monkeypox was first identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in 1970. The first outbreak in the western hemisphere occurred in the spring of 2003. Important epidemiologic and clinical differences exist between human monkeypox in the United States and in Africa, including sex distribution, case fatality, morphology of skin lesions, and associated lymphadenopathy. These divergent clinical presentations could be caused by mode of transmission (skin inoculation vs ingestion), the skin color of affected patients, the training backgrounds of those who saw and documented disease outbreaks, the virulence of monkeypox strains involved, nutritional status, access to advanced medical care, and the prevalence of prior smallpox vaccinations.
Topics: Africa; Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Mpox (monkeypox); United States; Zoonoses
PubMed: 16908354
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2006.05.061 -
The American Journal of Medicine Mar 2023Monkeypox, a neglected disease previously confined to Africa, is causing a worldwide outbreak affecting predominantly males who have sex with males, especially those who... (Review)
Review
Monkeypox, a neglected disease previously confined to Africa, is causing a worldwide outbreak affecting predominantly males who have sex with males, especially those who are infected with HIV. The clinical presentation during the current outbreak differs from endemic cases. Treatment with tecovirimat and other antivirals is available. Immunization may be used as preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Mpox (monkeypox); Homosexuality, Male; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Antiviral Agents; Benzamides
PubMed: 36495937
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.10.023 -
Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 2023The human monkeypox disease has mainly been described in Western and Central Africa. Since May 2022, the monkeypox virus has been spreading worldwide in a new... (Review)
Review
The human monkeypox disease has mainly been described in Western and Central Africa. Since May 2022, the monkeypox virus has been spreading worldwide in a new epidemiological pattern, where cases result from person-to-person transmission, and develop clinically milder or less typical illness than during previous outbreaks in endemic areas. The newly-emerging monkeypox disease needs to be described over the long term, to improve cases definitions, to implement prompt control measures against epidemics, and to provide supportive care. Hence, we first conducted a review of historical and recent outbreaks to define the full clinical spectrum of the monkeypox disease and its course known so far. Then, we built a self-administrated questionnaire collecting daily symptoms of the monkeypox infection to follow cases and their contacts, even remotely. This tool will assist in the management of cases, the surveillance of contacts, and the conduct of clinical studies.
Topics: Humans; Mpox (monkeypox); Monkeypox virus; Africa, Central; Disease Outbreaks; Epidemics
PubMed: 36809829
DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2023.102559 -
The Lancet. Public Health May 2023Countermeasures for mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), primarily vaccines, have been in limited supply in many countries during outbreaks. Equitable allocation of... (Review)
Review
Countermeasures for mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), primarily vaccines, have been in limited supply in many countries during outbreaks. Equitable allocation of scarce resources during public health emergencies is a complex challenge. Identifying the objectives and core values for the allocation of mpox countermeasures, using those values to provide guidance for priority groups and prioritisation tiers, and optimising allocation implementation are important. The fundamental values for the allocation of mpox countermeasures are: preventing death and illness; reducing the association between death or illness and unjust disparities; prioritising those who prevent harm or mitigate disparities; recognising contributions to combating an outbreak; and treating similar individuals similarly. Ethically and equitably marshalling available countermeasures requires articulating these fundamental objectives, identifying priority tiers, and recognising trade-offs between prioritising the people at the highest risk of infection and the people at the highest risk of harm if infected. These five values can provide guidance on preferable priority categories for a more ethically sound response and suggest methods for optimising allocation of countermeasures for mpox and other diseases for which countermeasures are in short supply. Properly marshalling available countermeasures will be crucial for future effective and equitable national responses to outbreaks.
Topics: Humans; Monkeypox virus; Mpox (monkeypox); Disease Outbreaks; Public Health
PubMed: 37120261
DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(23)00061-0