A review of experimental and natural infections of animals with monkeypox virus between 1958 and 2012

Abstract

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) was discovered in 1958 during an outbreak in an animal facility in Copenhagen, Denmark. Since its discovery, MPXV has revealed a propensity to infect and induce disease in a large number of animals within the mammalia class from pan-geographical locations. This finding has impeded the elucidation of the natural host, although the strongest candidates are African squirrels and/or other rodents. Experimentally, MPXV can infect animals via a variety of multiple different inoculation routes; however, the natural route of transmission is unknown and is likely to be somewhat species specific. In this review we have attempted to compile and discuss all published articles that describe experimental or natural infections with MPXV, dating from the initial discovery of the virus through to the year 2012. We further discuss the comparative disease courses and pathologies of the host species.

Keywords: aerosol; animals; infection; intrabronchial; intradermal; intramuscular; intranasal; intratracheal; intravenous; outbreak; primates; subcutaneous.

Figure 1. Four disease biomarkers are shown following an intravenous 10⁷ PFU Congo Basin (Z79) challenge in Macaca mulatta and Macaca fascicularis

Initial detection of fever, vDNA in blood and lesion appearance are shown. The ranges of euthanasia/death are also shown (see Tables 1 & 3 for more details). vDNA: Viral DNA.

Figure 2. Four disease biomarkers are shown following five different respiratory challenges with 10⁶ PFU of monkeypox virus (Congo Basin) in Macaca fascicularis

Initial detection of fever, vDNA in blood and the lesion appearance are shown. The ranges of euthanasia/death are also shown. Data is taken from Table 4. BMAD: Bronchoscope-microsprayer aerosol delivery; ib.: Intrabronchial; in.: Intranasal; it.: Intratracheal; vDNA: Viral DNA.