Monkeypox outbreak: a perspective on Africa's diagnostic and containment capacity

Moyo, Enos; Musuka, Godfrey; Murewanhema, Grant; Moyo, Perseverance; Dzinamarira, Tafadzwa

doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2022.08.016

Cited by 16 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(18 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The lack of resources, diagnostic equipment (adequate laboratory infrastructure), procedures (weak disease surveillance systems) and adequate knowledge of this disease in African countries, with the result of not having uniform health controls of people, (as it was in the most developed countries) was also crucial to favor the worldwide transmission through the international traffic [ 99 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Human Monkeypox—A Global Public Health Emergency

Zardi

Chello

2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Monkeypox, a viral zoonosis caused by an Orthopoxvirus, is clinically characterized by fever, headache, lymphadenopathy, myalgia, rash and burdened by some complications that can be severe and life threatening. Monkeypox, endemic in some central and west African countries, in tropical areas near equator, rose to the headlines following its recent outbreak in non-endemic countries of Europe and the USA. Thus, the World Health Organization, worried about the growing dimension of the problem, declared monkeypox a global public health emergency. Now, after months of careful observation, the western scientific research is drawing conclusion that African endemic countries represent a reserve pool able to feed, through travelers and sexual networks, the outbreak in non-endemic countries in which high-risk communities such as gay and bisexual men are the most affected. Prevention through vaccination and early diagnosis are the core to breaking the chain of diffusion of this epidemic. Particular attention should be paid to avoid the spread from endemic countries, also implementing the economic investments in their public health system. Information campaigns and assistance to high-risk classes in non-endemic countries are important priorities, however, assuming that specific treatments for this disease are still tentative.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, previous trials demonstrated that smallpox vaccine is highly effective in preventing monkeypox disease, not losing efficacy also after a few years by protecting subjects against the occurrence of a severe illness [ 99 , 103 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Monkeypox—A Global Public Health Emergency

Zardi

Chello

2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Human-to-human transmission is not documented in case of West African clade and it has a case fatality rate of less than 1%. In case of Central African clade, human-to-human transmission has been reported with a case fatality rate of up to 10% ( Moyo et al, 2022 ). West African clade may cause substantial sickness and it is typically self-limiting.…”

Section: Monkeypox Transmissionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Children are more susceptible for in case of Central African clade. MPXV exposure during pregnancy may result in difficulties, congenital monkeypox, or stillbirth ( Moyo et al, 2022 ). The effect of MPXV disease on pregnancy outcomes with vertical transmission of viral infection to the fetus has also been reported ( Mbala et al, 2017 ).…”

Section: Monkeypox Transmissionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comprehensive update on the monkeypox outbreak

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Monkeypox (MPX) was first reported in 1970 in humans and outbreaks were restricted and highly localised to endemic regions of western and central Africa. However, after the first reported case in the UK in early May, 2022, the pattern of epidemic spreading in the geographical regions was much larger compared to past, posing a risk MPX might become entrenched beyond endemic areas. This virus is less transmissible than SARS-CoV-2, as it transmitted mainly through personal, close, often skin-to-skin contact with infectious MPX rash, body fluids, or scabs from an individual with MPX. Infections usually present with chills, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, skin lesions, and lymphadenopathy. Currently, there are no antivirals approved for MPX. However, an antiviral drug called “tecovirimat,” approved for the treatment of smallpox, has been made accessible to treat MPX. Moreover, to prevent MPX, there are two vaccines available which are approved by FDA: Bavarian Nordic JYNNEOS, and ACAM2000 vaccine. Contact tracing is absent in case of MPX outbreak and there is lack of information from the data systems in rapid manner. Additionally, test capacity needs to be increased. Like SARS-CoV-2, global MPX outbreak demand for vaccines far exceeds availability.

show abstract

“…It may be transmitted from infected animals by handling infected meat or by biting or scratching. Human‐to‐human transmission can occur through contact with infected body fluids or contaminated objects, small droplets, and possibly through airborne routes 3 . It is reported that so far, the vast majority of confirmed cases outside the epidemic areas in Africa this year have occurred in young or middle‐aged men who have recently had sexual contact with new or multiple partners 4 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

G‐quadruplexes in the monkeypox virus are potential antiviral targets

Zhang

2022

Journal of Medical Virology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a member of Orthopoxvirus in the Poxviridae family, causing a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The number of cases and geographic range has increased significantly in 2022. Identification of MPXV‐specific therapeutic targets is urgent. G‐quadruplex (GQ) secondary structures attract great attention as potential targets for antiviral strategy. Whether GQs are present in the MPXV genome remains inconclusive. In this study, we aim to characterize the GQs encoded by MPXV. Through a series of biophysical experiments, we characterized the formation potential of MPXV‐encoded GQs and evaluated the binding and stabilization abilities of GQ ligands including BRACO‐19, pyridostatin, and TMPyP4 to GQs encoded by MPXV. Moreover, GQ ligands suppressed the gene transcription of MPXV sequences containing GQ. BRACO‐19 and TMPyP4 were able to inhibit vaccinia virus replication. We demonstrated the existence of MPXV GQ and reinforced the idea that GQs could be novel antiviral targets. Targeting these GQ sequences with GQ‐binding molecules may represent a new approach for MPXV therapy.

show abstract

Monkeypox outbreak: a perspective on Africa's diagnostic and containment capacity

Cited by 16 publications

References 15 publications

Human Monkeypox—A Global Public Health Emergency

Human Monkeypox—A Global Public Health Emergency

Comprehensive update on the monkeypox outbreak

G‐quadruplexes in the monkeypox virus are potential antiviral targets

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About