Monkeypox: From Emerging Trends to Therapeutic Concerns

Abstract

Monkeypox is a zoonotic viral disease. Monkeypox was first reported in humans about 54 years ago. Prior to the global outbreak, monkeypox was endemic to the rainforests of central and western African countries. In the last three years, increasing numbers of human monkeypox have been reported from various countries. Responding to the severity, monkeypox was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization. In the absence of approved drugs or clinical studies, repurposed drugs and therapeutic medical countermeasures effective against other orthopoxviruses have been utilized to treat severe human monkeypox cases. Currently, clinical trials are underway exploring the potential therapeutic effectiveness of tecovirimate in human monkeypox cases. Monoclonal antibodies, IFN-β, resveratrol, and 15 triple-targeting FDA-approved drugs represent potential new drug targets for human monkeypox, necessitating further research.

Keywords: bcv; hmxpv; mpox; oxpv; pheic; tecovirimat; vigiv.

Figure 1. Monkeypox: journey from virus isolation to global outbreak.

The figure illustrates the temporal progression of monkeypox, from its initial isolation in 1958 to a notable outbreak in 2022 [15-20]. DRC: Democratic Republic of Congo, PHEIC: Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Figure 2. Global outbreak of monkeypox during 2022-2023.

This figure details outbreaks of mpox, showing confirmed cases in the regions of America, Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Eastern Mediterranean during 2022-2023 [23]. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Permission has been obtained.)

Figure 3. Evolution of skin rash in monkeypox infection

The figure illustrates the development of the skin lesions in monkeypox from a maculopapular rash to vesicles, pustules, and eventual scab formation over a period of 10-14 days [30,33]. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Permission has been obtained.)