Biological Characteristics and Pathogenesis of Monkeypox Virus: An Overview

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• The World Health Organization declared monkeypox a global public health emergency in July 2022.
• Monkeypox is a zoonotic virus within the Poxviridae family, Orthopoxvirus genus, related to smallpox.
• The virus circulates in various animal reservoirs and transmits to humans through direct contact or contaminated materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the current understanding of the monkeypox virus, including its characteristics, transmission, and clinical manifestations.
• To highlight the recent acceleration in the geographical spread of human monkeypox.
• To review diagnostic methods and available prevention and treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

• Phylogenetic analysis to distinguish between monkeypox clades.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for viral diagnosis from lesion samples.
• Review of existing literature on monkeypox emergence, ecology, and epidemiology.

Main Results:

• Two distinct genetic clades identified: the Congo Basin (more pathogenic) and West Africa clades.
• Monkeypox symptoms include fever, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, and backache.
• Current antivirals effective against smallpox may inhibit monkeypox spread, but no specific therapy exists.

Conclusions:

• Urgent prevention and treatment strategies are required due to the global health emergency status of monkeypox.
• The improved Ankara vaccine is available in the USA for high-risk individuals.
• Further research is needed on the disease's emergence, ecology, and epidemiology to curb its spread.