The pathophysiological and immunological background of the monkeypox virus infection: An update

• Published in: Journal of medical virology 2023-01, Vol.95 (1), p.e28206-n/a
• Main Authors: Mukherjee, Anirban Goutam, Wanjari, Uddesh Ramesh, Kannampuzha, Sandra, Das, Soumik, Murali, Reshma, Namachivayam, Arunraj, Renu, Kaviyarasi, Ramanathan, Gnanasambandan, Doss C., George Priya, Vellingiri, Balachandar, Dey, Abhijit, Valsala Gopalakrishnan, Abilash
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; COVID-19; Humans; immunity; monkeypox; Monkeypox virus - genetics; Mpox (monkeypox) - epidemiology; Orthopoxvirus; pathogen; Smallpox; Zoonoses - epidemiology; zoonotic
• ISSN: 0146-6615; 1096-9071
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28206

In addition to the COVID‐19 waves, the globe is facing global monkeypox (MPX) outbreak. MPX is an uncommon zoonotic infection characterized by symptoms similar to smallpox. It is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), a double‐stranded DNA virus that belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus (OPXV). MPXV, which causes human disease, has been confined to Africa for many years, with only a few isolated cases in other areas. Outside of Africa, the continuing MPXV outbreak in multiple countries in 2022 is the greatest in recorded history. The current outbreak, with over 10 000 confirmed cases in over 50 countries between May and July 2022, demonstrates that MPXV may travel rapidly among humans and pose a danger to human health worldwide. The rapid spread of such outbreaks in recent times has elevated MPX to the status of a rising zoonotic disease with significant epidemic potential. While the MPXV is not as deadly or contagious as the variola virus that causes smallpox, it poses a threat because it could evolve into a more potent human pathogen. This review assesses the potential threat to the human population and provides a brief overview of what is currently known about this reemerging virus. By analyzing the biological effects of MPXV on human health, its shifting epidemiological footprint, and currently available therapeutic options, this review has presented the most recent insights into the biology of the virus. This study also clarifies the key potential causes that could be to blame for the present MPX outbreak and draw attention to major research questions and promising new avenues for combating the current MPX epidemic.