Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe. With the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and subsequent cessation of smallpox vaccination, monkeypox has emerged as the most important orthopoxvirus for public health. (1)

It has been reported in travelers from Nigeria to Israel in September 2018, to the United Kingdom in September 2018, December 2019, May 2021 and May 2022, to Singapore in May 2019, and to the United States of America in July and November 2021. In May 2022, multiple cases of monkeypox were identified in several non-endemic countries. Studies are currently underway to further understand the epidemiology, sources of infection, and transmission patterns.(1) As of 26 May, two dozen countries in the Americas, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Australia had reported more than 350 suspected and confirmed cases of the disease, a much milder cousin of smallpox, the deadly scourge that the World Health Organization (WHO) deemed eradicated in 1980.(3)

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is transmitted directly by either person-to-person, -animal, or virus-contaminated fomite contact. The disease is often self-limited, and clinical symptoms include fever, skin lesions, and lymphadenopathies. At present, no deaths have been associated with the current outbreak. MPXV DNA detection using molecular techniques is recommended for diagnosis. At least two approved drugs for antiviral therapy are available in the USA. Two different vaccines, including the vaccine used in the past for smallpox eradication and a new formulation more recently approved based on a live but non-replicating virus, are available that provide immunity to MPXV. (5)

Currently, there are no specific clinically proven treatments for monkeypox infection. As with most viral illnesses, the treatment is supportive symptom management.(4) However, monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to treat and prevent monkeypox virus infections.(2)

Monkeypox Research Tools

References

• (1) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox
• (2) https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/
• (3) https://www.science.org/content/article/monkeypox-outbreak-questions-intensify-cases-soar
• (4) Moore M, Zahra F. Monkeypox. 2022 May 22. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan–. PMID: 34662033.
• (5) Quarleri J, Delpino MV, Galvan V. Monkeypox: considerations for the understanding and containment of the current outbreak in non-endemic countries. Geroscience. 2022 Jun 20:1–9. doi: 10.1007/s11357-022-00611-6. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35726117; PMCID: PMC9208705.