Mpox

Comparing infection routes and subsequent transmission of MPXV in the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) indicates increased susceptibility, shedding and transmission via the genital mucosae.

A deep-learning algorithm was developed to identify skin lesions caused by the mpox virus and was then implemented in a web-based app designed for patient use.

Effectiveness of one subcutaneous dose of MVA-BN, the smallpox and mpox vaccine, was estimated to be 86% in a cohort of vaccine-eligible males in Israel, supporting its use to curtail the outbreak of mpox virus.

Tecovirimat blocks replication of 2022 monkeypox virus isolate in vitro, supporting its use in ongoing human clinical trials.

Historic smallpox vaccination and monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection elicit MPXV-neutralizing antibodies, but MPXV-neutralizing antibodies are less frequent and of lower magnitude after vaccination with MVA-BN—the vaccine approved and in use for protection against MPXV and smallpox.

Detection of monkeypox viruses (MPXV) in archival testes samples from acute and convalescent MPXV-infected macaques provides evidence supporting the potential for sexual transmision of MPXV.

Findings of unrecognized or asymptomatic monkeypox virus (MPXV) infections with replication-competent virus in humans suggest that a lack of recognized, clinical symptoms could play a role in virus transmission and the magnitude of the 2022 MPXV outbreak.

Analysis of the first sequences from the 2022 multi-country outbreak of monkeypox virus shows relatedness and substantial divergence from a 2018–2019 outbreak, suggesting rapid virus evolution with possible implications for human-to-human transmission.

Smallpox is a highly contagious respiratory pathogen associated with a high mortality rate. Here the authors utilize a mouse model of intranasal vaccinia virus infection and show a C7 gene encoded virulence factor attenuates type I IFN release by lung type II alveolar epithelial cells and reduces lung inflammatory monocyte responses.

Monkeypox is caused by an emerging zoonotic virus. This study describes a detailed investigation into monkeypox outbreaks in chimpanzees through non-invasive environmental sampling, virus genomics, pathology, behavioural ecology and dietary metabarcoding.

Les responsables africains de la santé s'inquiètent du fait qu'à mesure que l'épidémie de variole du singe s'atténue dans les pays riches, l'intérêt mondial pour la recherche et le financement risque de s’atténuer de même.

African health officials worry that as the mpox outbreak wanes in wealthy countries, so too will the global interest in research and funding.

A Nigerian disease-surveillance expert and a US epidemiologist have been tracking monkeypox for years. Can their insights help to stop its spread and prevent future outbreaks?

‘Mpox’ is the new preferred term for the disease caused by the monkeypox virus. Plus, three problems a plastics treaty could solve and deep bass makes people dance — even when they can’t hear it.

A new study identified two distinct lineages of monkeypox virus (MPXV) in the United States with evidence of genome editing by host apolipoprotein B editing complex (APOBEC3) cytosine deaminase, which might be accelerating MPXV evolution.

With cases declining in the United States and Europe, Nature examines scenarios of how the outbreak might play out.

In some samples, large chunks of the virus’s genome have disappeared — but understanding whether the mutations affect its behaviour will be difficult.

Monkeypox rampant in wildlife would make the virus impossible to control, warn scientists.

Symptoms of severe disease differ from those seen during past outbreaks, causing researchers to re-evaluate their assumptions.

Nature Medicine explores the latest translational and clinical research news

Deaths and sufferings are not a failure of technology or knowledge, but a failure of will.

Biodefense stockpiles are helping to curb the monkeypox outbreak, but the vaccines are based on old technology with significant side effects. Are other vaccines on the horizon?

Having learnt lessons from COVID-19, university officials worldwide are prioritizing testing and keeping students informed about risks.

Although case counts might be dropping, the public-health community must focus on containing the epidemic completely.

In the current monkeypox outbreak, vaccination and treatment of pregnant women are recommended only if the benefits outweigh risks, but the extremely sparse data available limit evidence-based recommendations. We must facilitate a unified consensus approach to rapidly collect robust data. Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, monkeypox has emerged as yet another challenge to the mother-fetus dyad, potentially placing both at risk, if exposed.

Tecovirimat, a little-known antiviral, shows promise against monkeypox. But human data and supplies of the drug are limited.

Prolonged contact, especially with a person’s skin lesions, is emerging as the top transmission route.

Having ignored the disease for decades, high-income countries must share vaccines and treatments quickly with other nations.

The window for containment is rapidly closing, researchers say.

Governments and funders must prioritize research on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases such as monkeypox to prevent another pandemic.

The ongoing monkeypox outbreak in non-endemic countries is likely to be a consequence of the failure to curtail the spread of the disease in endemic regions of Africa despite decades of constant outbreaks. A globally driven one health approach to prevention and treatment of the disease is essential to control present and future outbreaks.

African researchers have been warning about monkeypox outbreaks for years. As vaccines are deployed globally, they worry they will be left behind.

A wake-up call as many questions beg for answers in the race to curtail spread.

Creates hindrance for implementation of control measures

Some countries have begun to use smallpox vaccines to protect people exposed to the monkeypox virus. But researchers see challenges ahead.

A retrospective analysis of seven cases of monkeypox describes virus loads over time and looks at potential management options.

Scientists are racing to understand the latest monkeypox outbreaks — from their origins to whether they can be contained.

Scientists are trying to understand why the virus, a less-lethal relative of smallpox, has cropped up in so many populations around the world.

Monkeypox, a zoonotic disease that is marked in humans by a smallpox-like rash, may present as a rash-less respiratory disease in wild chimpanzees.

Detection of monkeypox viruses (MPXV) in archival testes samples from acute and convalescent MPXV-infected macaques provides evidence supporting the potential for sexual transmision of MPXV.

In this Review, Ng and colleagues examine the clinical, epidemiological and immunological aspects of monkeypox virus (MPXV) infections, with a focus on mechanisms of host immunity to MPXV. The authors also consider the unique epidemiological and pathological characteristics of the current non-endemic outbreak of the virus and discuss vaccines, therapeutics and outstanding research questions.