Monkeypox Research Articles

Utilizing non-human primate models to combat recent COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 and viral infectious disease outbreaks.

In recent times, global viral outbreaks and diseases, such as COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), Zika (ZIKV), monkeypox (MPOX), Ebola (EBOV), and Marburg (MARV), have been extensively documented. Swiftly deciphering the mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis and devising vaccines or therapeutic interventions to curtail these outbreaks stand as paramount imperatives. Amidst these endeavors, animal models emerge as pivotal tools. Among these models, non-human primates (NHPs) hold a position of particular importance. Their proximity in evolutionary lineage and physiological resemblances to humans render them a primary model for comprehending human viral infections. This review encapsulates the pivotal role of various NHP species-such as rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis), african green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus/aethiops), pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina/Macaca leonina), baboons (Papio hamadryas/Papio anubis), and common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)-in investigations pertaining to the abovementioned viral outbreaks. These NHP models play a pivotal role in illuminating key aspects of disease dynamics, facilitating the development of effective countermeasures, and contributing significantly to our overall understanding of viral pathogenesis.

Genetic insights into the microevolutionary dynamics and early introductions of human monkeypox virus in Mexico.

The recent global outbreak of mpox, caused by monkeypox virus (MPV) emerged in Europe in 2022 and rapidly spread to over 40 countries. The Americas are currently facing the highest impact, reporting over 50,000 cases by early 2023. In this study, we analyzed 880 MPV isolates worldwide to gain insights into the evolutionary patterns and initial introduction events of the virus in Mexico. We found that MPV entered Mexico on multiple occasions, from the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada, and subsequently spread locally in different regions of Mexico. Additionally, we show that MPV has an open pangenome, highlighting the role of gene turnover in shaping its genomic diversity, rather than single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which do not contribute significantly to genome diversity. Although the genome contains multiple SNPs in coding regions, these remain under purifying selection, suggesting their evolutionary conservation. One notable exception is amino acid position 63 of the protein encoded by the Cop-A4L gene, which is intricately related to viral maturity, which we found to be under strong positive selection. Ancestral state reconstruction indicated that the ancestral state at position 63 corresponds to the amino acid valine, which is present only in isolates of clade I. However, the isolates from the current outbreak contained threonine at position 63. Our findings contribute new information about the evolution of monkeypox virus.

Direct metagenomic and amplicon-based Nanopore sequencing of French human monkeypox from clinical specimen.

We report the whole-genome sequence of monkeypox virus obtained using MinION technology (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) from a French clinical specimen during the 2022 epidemic. Amplicon-based sequencing and shotgun metagenomic approaches were directly applied to the sample.

Perceptions and Knowledge of Public Towards Emerging Human Monkeypox in Yemen: A Cross-Sectional Study [Letter

Perceptions and Knowledge of Public Towards Emerging Human Monkeypox in Yemen: A Cross-Sectional Study [Letter

Death-associated with human monkeypox outbreak 2022: the current perspectives - correspondence: Erratum.

Death-associated with human monkeypox outbreak 2022: the current perspectives - correspondence: Erratum.

A Cross-Sectional Study To Assess Knowledge of Monkeypox Among Medical Students and Graduates in India.

Background and aim Monkeypox outbreaks in several nations have brought focus to the emerging virus. The clinical presentation of monkeypox is less severe than smallpoxbut is fairly comparable, presenting with fever, headache, lymphadenopathy, back discomfort, myalgia, and skin rashes. The misinformation spread on social platforms had a major impact on the effectiveness of outbreak control measures. The clinical management of breakouts depends on the adequate knowledge of the healthcare personnel about the disease. This study aims to assess the knowledge of medical students and graduates regarding monkeypox in India. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted by circulating a predesigned questionnaire with 20 questions to collect information regarding the demographic characteristics of the study participants, source of knowledge about monkeypox disease, self-perceived knowledge, and number of correctly answered questions regarding the disease. The responses obtained from the questionnaire and teleconsultation were recorded and analyzed. Results Out of 404 medical students and graduates who participated in the study, the mean age of participants was 23.17±2.14 years, and only 156 students learned about monkeypox in medical colleges. Only 72 (17.82%) participants reported that their medical college or hospital organized an educational class to teach about monkey pox disease. A majority of respondents (n=350, 86.63%) received their knowledge from online sources, which were the first most used source, followed by Instagram. Conclusions The knowledge assessment about monkeypoxrevealed that the average correct responses of participants who perceived to beknowledgeable were significantly lower than those who perceived to have good knowledge.

909. Clinical features and management of a human monkeypox outbreak: a retrospective observational study in Harlem New York

Abstract Background In this paper, we report the descriptive, epidemiological, virologic and clinical features of the response to the investigational antiviral Tecovirimat, during the last Human Monkeypox outbreak in New City. Methods This is a retrospective observational study, based on data obtained from a convenient sample of patients evaluated for monkeypox infection at Harlem Hospital Infectious Diseases Clinic, from June 30th 2022 to September 1st 2022. Outbreak analysis was completed using grid-like/mapping approach to evaluate the distribution of the lesions. Statistical analysis was conducted using binary logistic and Chi-square analysis. Mapping of lesions Results 44 patients were included in the study 16 (36%) patients were immunocompromised with HIV with an absolute CD4 count ranging from 22 to 1048. Of the 44 patients, 30 (68%) were prescribed oral tecovirimat. Follow up showed that 13(43.3%) and 3 (3%) patients who received tecovirimat had complete resolution of symptoms at 7 days and 14 days respectively. 4 (9%) patients were lost to follow up and 2 (4.5%) were hospitalized for worsening symptoms. Overall medication was well tolerated with no reported events that were felt to be related to the medication. Symptoms grid mapping showed a higher prevalence of lesions at the genital and rectal area, highly significant in the treatment group. We were not able to establish a significant statistical correlation between HIV status/CD4 count and resolution of symptoms. However statistical analysis showed a significant positive correlation between treatment with Tecovirimat and resolution of symptoms at 14 days (P = 0.047). Conclusion The results published in the abstract are mostly descriptive of the sample and the general management including the use of Tecovirimat. Most patients who received tecovirimat had a complete resolution of symptoms n= (53%) at 14 days. It is not clear whether this difference was attributable to the efficacy of the treatment versus the natural course of disease. Indeed, several patients in the non-treatment group were lost to follow up. Further studies are needed to define the effect of severe immunosuppression and the efficacy of available antiviral drugs on the course of disease. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Monkeypox in humans: Transmission, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and all recent updates

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is monitoring an epidemic of monkeypox infection in the United States. The outbreak is now global and more than 6900 cases have already been reported. There are 83 confirmed cases among children and adolescents, as shown in the report published on November 3, 2022, in the USA. However, monkeypox in pediatric patients is still infrequent (< 0.3% of total cases). Among cases in the United States, 16 cases were in children < 5 years, 12 in the age group 5-12 years, and 55 cases in adolescents 13-17 years old. In the adolescent age group, 89% were male. For children < 12 years of age, close physical contact with an adult household with monkeypox was the primary exposure, but for adolescents, male-to-male sexual contact was found more frequently. The CDC advised United States healthcare providers to remain vigilant for patients with a rash resembling monkeypox, even if there is no history of travel to a country with high risk. This article summarizes the history and epidemiology of monkeypox with a specific emphasis on clinical features and management in pediatric patients.

Immunoinformatics and reverse vaccinology approach in designing a novel highly immunogenic multivalent peptide-based vaccine against the human monkeypox virus

Immunoinformatics and reverse vaccinology approach in designing a novel highly immunogenic multivalent peptide-based vaccine against the human monkeypox virus

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Willingness of Healthcare Workers in Iraq's Kurdistan Region to Vaccinate against Human Monkeypox: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

Although human monkeypox infections had not been recorded in the Kurdistan region of Iraq as of August 2023, the rapid growth of cases worldwide and the detection of monkeypox in neighboring Middle Eastern nations call for careful planning and timely response measures. Educating and empowering frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) so that they can act to curb the spread of monkeypox infections are core elements of primary prevention and protecting public health. Therefore, this study aimed to assess HCWs' knowledge and attitudes about monkeypox and their willingness to vaccinate against monkeypox. By employing a convenience sampling method, an online survey was disseminated via Google Forms between 1 November 2022 and 15 January 2023. The researchers utilized regression analyses to ascertain the factors associated with the three parameters: knowledge, attitude, and the willingness to vaccinate. A total of 637 HCWs were included in the analysis (ages ranged between 21 and 51 years). The mean overall scores were 8.18 of a max score of 16 (SD 3.37), 3.4 of 5 (SD 1.37), and 2.41 of 5 (SD 1.25) for knowledge, attitude, and willingness to vaccinate, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that HCWs who had heard about monkeypox before 2022 rather than later had a higher level of knowledge (AOR: 4.85; 95% CI: 2.81-8.36; p < 0.001). In addition, those who had newly joined the workforce or had less than 1 year experience in practice had more positive attitudes about curbing monkeypox (AOR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.20-0.59; p < 0.01) than those who practiced for longer. No significant predictors of willingness to vaccinate against monkeypox were identified. The research revealed that HCWs exhibited a relatively low level of monkeypox knowledge. They also had poor attitudes towards monkeypox vaccination and were therefore reluctant to receive the vaccines. Imparting knowledge about the infectious disease can cultivate better awareness and attitudes among HCWs as to their roles in mitigating the spread of an epidemic in the foreseeable future.

MATHEMATICAL MODELLING AND STABILITY ANALYSIS OF MONKEY POX TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS IN NIGERIA

In this paper, we proposed a mathematical model for monkey pox disease dynamics. This model is divided into two sub-population which is a system of non-linear differential equations. It is made up of seven (7) compartments such as the Susceptible, the Infectious, the Treatment, the Recovery, the Susceptible, the Infectious, and the Recovery (SITR-SIR). The model is formulated with the aid of a schematic diagram using appropriate parameters. The model analysis was carried out to show the feasible region, the disease-free equilibrium points, the basic reproduction number, and the local stability of the model. The model was solved to show the effect of the parameters.

IN SILICO ANALYSIS OF TECOVIRIMAT A REPURPOSED DRUG AGAINST THE MONKEYPOX VIRUS, ITS OFF-TARGET HUMAN PROTEINS, AND IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH

Objective: In this study, in silico analysis of human off-target proteins of tecovirimat, an investigational drug reported to stop monkey pox virus infection by binding to a protein that the virus uses to enter host cells was performed to better understand its off-target long-term and short-term effects on other important biological processes in patients. Methods: The target and off-target proteins of the drug, as well as their characteristics, protein-protein interactions, and the pathways they are involved in, were thoroughly analyzed using a number of databases, including Drug Bank, the NCBI Gene Database, BLAST, the UCSC Gene Sorter, Gene MANIA, STRING, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Pathway Database. Results: The current study showed that although the repurposing drug tecovirimat aids in the treatment of patients with monkeypox by binding to the viral p37 protein, it can also accidentally interfere with vital biological processes by interacting with off-target proteins or by indirectly interfering with the proteins that interact with these target proteins. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of extensively assessing and evaluating all repurposed drugs for their off-target effects before making them available to the general public.

Public Perceptions About Monkeypox on Twitter: Thematic Analysis

Background Social media has emerged as an important source of information generated by large segments of the population, which can be particularly valuable during infectious disease outbreaks. The recent outbreak of monkeypox led to an increase in discussions about the topic on social media, thus presenting the opportunity to conduct studies based on the generated data. Objective By analyzing posts from Twitter (subsequently rebranded X), we aimed to identify the topics of public discourse as well as knowledge and opinions about the monkeypox virus during the 2022 outbreak. Methods We collected data from Twitter focusing on English-language posts containing key phrases like “monkeypox,” “mpoxvirus,” and “monkey pox,” as well as their hashtag equivalents from August to October 2022. We preprocessed the data using natural language processing to remove duplicates and filter out noise. We then selected a random sample from the collected posts. Three annotators reviewed a sample of the posts and created a guideline for coding based on discussion. Finally, the annotators analyzed, coded, and manually categorized them first into topics and then into coarse-grained themes. Disagreements were resolved via discussion among all authors. Results A total of 128,615 posts were collected over a 3-month period, and 200 tweets were selected and included for manual analyses. The following 8 themes were generated from the Twitter posts: monkeypox doubts, media, monkeypox transmission, effect of monkeypox, knowledge of monkeypox, politics, monkeypox vaccine, and general comments. The most common themes from our study were monkeypox doubts and media, each accounting for 22% (44/200) of the posts. The posts represented a mix of useful information reflecting emerging knowledge on the topic as well as misinformation. Conclusions Social networks, such as Twitter, are useful sources of information in the early stages of outbreaks. Close to real-time identification and analyses of misinformation may help authorities take the necessary steps in a timely manner.

Uncovering the knowledge gaps: A survey on human monkeypox infection among men who have sex with men in Nepal.

The monkeypox virus (MPOX) poses a major threat to the health of people, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, the knowledge regarding MPOX among MSM in Nepal is poorly understood. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the knowledge of human monkeypox among Nepalese MSM. A cross-sectional face-to-face survey was conducted among purposively selected 250 participants (mean age 27.6 ± 8.9 years) in Nepal between October and December 2022. The questionnaire consisted of informed consent along with questions covering age, education, and MPOX. The findings demonstrated that the majority of MSM in Nepal had poor knowledge of MPOX. Around 87% of participants had no idea whether MPOX is contagious or not. However, the results call for immediate action to improve knowledge of MSM through health education programs and appropriate interventions to spread awareness of MPOX.

Effect of Educational Intervention on Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Human Monkey Pox among Primary School Teachers in Rural Areas at Minia District

Effect of Educational Intervention on Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Human Monkey Pox among Primary School Teachers in Rural Areas at Minia District

Perceptions and Knowledge of Public Towards Emerging Human Monkeypox in Yemen: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The spread of monkeypox (mpox) worldwide poses a severe threat to human life. This virus leads to a disease with symptoms similar to smallpox in humans. To combat this threat, improving public knowledge and perception toward mpox is vital for public health preventive measures. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Yemen from December 2022 to March 2023 to investigate public perception and knowledge of mpox. Individuals were approached through social media platforms using a convenient sampling approach. Linear regression was used to determine the association between participants' knowledge (dependent variable) and explanatory variables. A total of 853 individuals consented to take part in the study. A significant proportion of respondents had a low knowledge level (N=572, 67.06%). Most participants knew about the nature of the diseases (75%, n=641), transmission mode (78.1%, n=668), hand sanitizer preventive measures, and skin- related symptoms. However, only 20.8% (n= 178) knew that diarrhea is not a symptom, and 25.4% (n= 217) knew antibiotics are unnecessary for mpox management. A proportion of 57.7% (n=492) of the participants feared human mpox, and 47.7% (n= 407) thought it was a conspiracy. Most participants had a good perception of local and international health authorities controlling the disease. Age, education level, having a health-related certificate, and receiving a 2-dose vaccination for COVID-19 had statistically significant associations with mpox knowledge level (P < 0.05). Social media platforms were the most often used information source about mpox (78.3%, n= 668), followed by articles (41.1%, n=351). The study reveals a low public knowledge about mpox in Yemen, emphasizing the need for targeted educational campaigns, especially via social media, to strengthen public health measures and disease control. Addressing Knowledge gaps and correcting misconceptions is crucial for improving preparedness and response to the disease.

A Perspective on Monkeypox Related LGBT Phobia Among the General Public

Due to an upsurge in imported cases in the Western Pacific Region, the World Health Organization has proclaimed monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on July 23rd, 2022. The worldwide transmission of human monkeypox disease presents substantial healthcare concern. Similar to previous infectious disease outbreaks, conspiracy theories have also emerged in relation to the 2022 monkeypox outbreak, undermining health behaviors and amplifying the outbreak's impact. Fake news on social media worsens the monkeypox outbreak, silencing healthcare experts. The outbreak has stigmatized monkeypox, putting LGBTQI+ communities at increased risk. Unsurprisingly, the present outbreak is impacting a large number of homosexuals, bisexuals, and men who have sex with men, which may lead to increased discrimination and stigma towards this group, along with increased LGBT phobia among the general population. Such stigmatization lead to healthcare disengagement, increasing morbidity and mortality, significant physical, socio-economic, and psychological consequences for LGBTQ+ community. Monkeypox is manageable if transmission chains are broken, aided by accurate information to dispel outdated myths rooted in fear and sexual bias. A holistic, culturally-sensitive approach is vital to combat current monkeypox-related stigma, requiring government interventions and multi-stakeholder collaboration for a multidisciplinary strategy.

A Comprehensive study on 2022 Monkey Pox Outbreak

Monkeypox has been discovered in most of the US, except a few states, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The states with the most occurrences are Florida, New York, California, Illinois, and Illinois. It was first observed in laboratory monkeys in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1958, and was later recognized as a distinct illness. Numerous animal species are thought to act as a natural reservoir for the virus. Monkeypox was first identified in colonies of captive monkeys after two outbreaks of a disease that resembled the pox. The cause of the illness, known as "monkeypox," is still unknown. However, the virus can infect humans if it is carried by nonhuman primates (such as monkeys) or African rodents. These monkeypox viruses could be diagnosed using a variety of general methods. As a result, the researchers analyzed the symptoms of the monkeypox virus, an outbreak of the disease in various nations, risk factors for monkeypox infection, and several methods for monkeypox virus identification. This article also looks at the development of monkeypox virus cases in the month and year of May 2022.

A Case Study: A Case Report of Human Monkeypox with Unusual Features

The case report of an unusual case of human monkeypox with atypical epidemiology, unknown transmission route and unusual as well as rare ocular involvement with severe symptoms is presented in this case study

Can The Monkeypox Virus Pose A Potential Threat For Pakistan With New Emerging Cases?

Madam, Monkeypox (MPX) is a viral disease belonging to the orthopoxvirus genus with a clinical presentation strikingly similar to that of smallpox which includes fever, rash and lymphadenopathy [1]. The disease is primarily transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, animal, or contaminated material. Recently, Pakistan reported its first two confirmed cases of Monkeypox, and there has been a global outbreak of over 78,000 people infected [2]. Given the statistics, Pakistan should also take preventive actions to control the country-wide spread of the disease. The symptoms of the Monkeypox virus usually begin within a week but may range between 1-21 days after the initial exposure. Initial signi in most individuals is a rash beginning on the face and eventually spreading over the body extending to the palms and soles. The distinct lesions typically appear in stages, beginning with macular, then papular, then vesicular and eventually pustular. Moreover, there can be serious complications including pneumonitis, encephalitis, sight-threatening keratitis and secondary bacterial infections [3]. Cases in the current outbreak have been atypical, with the characteristic rash starting in the genital and perianal areas with or without dissemination to other body parts[4]. The clinical recognition of Monkeypox can be challenging especially in resource-poor endemic regions. Diagnosis is usually done through identification of viral DNA by collecting swabs from the crusts of lesions. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), no specific vaccine or treatment for the Monkeypox virus is currently available.[5] Prevention is better than cure, it is important to highlight the need for better surveillance and early detection systems nationwide. Promoting campaigns on both small and large scales is crucial to raise awareness about the disease. These campaigns can include awareness sessions in educational institutions and setting up roadside camps in high-risk areas. The public should be advised to take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their communities by restraining contact with infected individuals and practicing isolation if infection is suspected. Front- line health officials are particularly vulnerable and should follow strict standard operating procedures, while airports should be closely monitored for potential cases. While the world is still challenged by the COVID19 pandemic, the emergence of new outbreak by monkeypox virus has raised concerns and therefore, it is high time for the government to plan and implement appropriate actions on emergency basis to control the spread of this disease.