Mpox
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by the mpox virus, a member of the orthopoxvirus genus. Originally discovered in 1958 in monkeys, the virus can infect both humans and animals, particularly rodents and primates. The first human case of mpox was identified in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and has since predominantly circulated in Central and West Africa.1
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared mpox a 'public health emergency of international concern' due to the rapid spread of a concerning strain across multiple African countries, which was first identified in late 2023 in South Kivu province of the DRC. This outbreak has seen a significant increase in cases, notably affecting children under the age of 15, who make up two-thirds of the infections in the DRC.2 The virus, particularly the clade Ib variant, has shown the ability to spread effectively between people, including through sexual contact, leading to widespread transmission even in regions that have not previously reported mpox cases.3
Despite being a relatively self-limiting disease with symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and characteristic fluid-filled skin lesions, certain strains of the mpox virus, such as clade I, are associated with higher mortality rates compared to others. This increased lethality is partly due to the virus's spread in areas with limited healthcare access and among vulnerable populations, including immunocompromised individuals and children.1,3 The fatality rate in some outbreaks has been reported as high as 3.5%.3
The global response to mpox has included efforts to secure vaccines and develop effective treatments. However, there remains a significant shortage of both, especially in African countries where the outbreak is most severe. Current research into therapeutic strategies is focusing on antiviral drugs, including small-molecule compounds and antibody therapies, to combat the virus effectively.1 The identification of specific antibodies that can neutralize the virus is a critical area of ongoing research, offering hope for more effective treatments in the future.
Mpox Research Tools
References
- : "Mpox (formerly monkeypox): pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment." in: Signal transduction and targeted therapy, Vol. 8, Issue 1, pp. 458, (2023) (PubMed).
- : "Growing mpox outbreak prompts WHO to declare global health emergency." in: Nature, Vol. 632, Issue 8026, pp. 718-719, (2024) (PubMed).
- : "Mpox is spreading rapidly. Here are the questions researchers are racing to answer." in: Nature, (2024) (PubMed).
Dr. Balint Földesi currently serves as Global E-Commerce Manager for Rockland Immunochemicals. With a foundation in biology and a Ph.D. in natural sciences, he reviews and writes scientific content for both Rockland and antibodies-online. He has more than a decade of professional experience as an e-commerce and marketing manager, working closely with life science and biotech companies. He is an avid runner and traveler, which adds fresh perspectives and a spirit of discovery to his work.
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