Insights into the Transmission, Host Range, Genomics, Vaccination, and Current Epidemiology of the Monkeypox Virus

Abstract

This review delves into the historical context, current epidemiological landscape, genomics, and pathobiology of monkeypox virus (MPXV). Furthermore, it elucidates the present vaccination status and strategies to curb the spread of monkeypox. Monkeypox, caused by the Orthopoxvirus known as MPXV, is a zoonotic ailment. MPXV can be transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face interactions. While many cases of monkeypox are self-limiting, vulnerable groups such as young children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals may experience severe manifestations. Diagnosis predominantly relies on clinical presentations, complemented by laboratory techniques like RT-PCR. Although treatment is often not required, severe cases necessitate antiviral medications like tecovirimat, cidofovir, and brincidofovir. Vaccination, particularly using the smallpox vaccine, has proven instrumental in outbreak control, exhibiting an efficacy of at least 85% against mpox as evidenced by data from Africa. Mitigating transmission requires measures like wearing surgical masks, adequately covering skin lesions, and avoiding handling wild animals.

Figure 1

Transmission of MPXV. Primary transmission: animal-to-human by a bite, scratch, and bush meat preparation. Secondary transmission: human-to-human transmission by respiratory droplets, coughing, sneezing, and bedding.

Figure 2

Viral and genomic structure of MPXV. The structure of MPXV shows the inside components of an mpox virus. The genomic structure shows the regions inside its DNA (MPXV: monkeypox virus and ITR: inverted terminal repeat).

Figure 3

Overview of MPXV modulatory proteins. Virostealth and virotransducer proteins prevent cells from responding to monkeypox modulatory proteins and cause failure in viral detection.

Figure 4

Replication of MPXV mature virion (MV). This illustration shows that the MV uses micropinocytosis and EV uses fusion to enter the host cell and the way they replicate their DNA by evading the host immune system (MV: mature virion and EV: enveloped virion).

Figure 5

Clinical symptoms of MPXV infection. Primary and secondary viremia causes some symptoms by which MPXV can be identified.