Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a typical zoonotic virus that can transmit among humans when they bring up against infected animals. It has been confirmed that the MPXV can be transmitted through direct contact (sexual, droplets and skin touch) and indirect contact (viral contaminants). Besides, MPXV can also be transmitted to the fetus through mother-to-child transmission way.
The symptoms of MPXV are similar to those of smallpox, but the death rate is much lower. After an incubation period of 5 to 15 days, people infected with MPXV begin to show more obvious clinical symptoms such as fever, headache and lethargy. Later on, vesiculopustular rashes begin to appear and spread to the whole body. Besides, this disease is accompanied by many complications such as hypopigmentation, scarring and sepsis caused by bacterial infection.
The gold standard for MPXV diagnosis is PCR, which can accurately identify the detailed DNA information of the MPXV. Besides, as shown in Table 1, MPVX can also be identified by virus culture, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry and Anti-Orthopoxvirus IgG and IgM tests.
Table.1 Different diagnostic test for monkeypox. (Cheema, 2022)
At present, there is no counterpart treatment for the monkeypox virus, so the main treatment for patients with MPXV mainly uses antiviral drugs and vaccinia immunoglobulin injection. Notably, special treatment is needed for some special groups (immunodeficient persons, pregnant women, etc.). Moreover, as MPXV shares some homology with smallpox, there is also some evidence confirming that smallpox drugs can be an alternative medicine for the treatment of MPXV.
Vaccination is an effective way to prevent widespread outbreaks of many infectious diseases. Clinical studies have confirmed that smallpox vaccination can also effectively prevent monkeypox infections. Currently, the U.S. National Strategic Reserve has announced two effective smallpox vaccines. Both vaccines are effective in preventing MPXV infection among humans. Furthermore, the treatment of infected patients must be carried out in strict isolation environments to avoid direct contact between health care workers and patients to prevent new infections.
References
For Research Use Only.
