Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: IntroductionMpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus of the family Poxviridae.It is an enveloped brick-shaped virus with a double-stranded DNA genome of approximately 200,000 bp in length that has two distinct genetic clades: clade I (Ia and Ib) endemic to Central Africa, usually in the Congo, and clade II (IIa and IIb) endemic to West Africa [1].These two clades showed different patterns of transmission and disease severity.Clade I has a higher potential for human-tohuman transmission, mostly through men-to-men sexual contact, and causes severe outcomes with approximately 10% mortality among those infected [2].In contrast, clade II is less infectious, causes less severe disease, and has a lower mortality rate, around 1%, but has demonstrated the ability to spread more efficiently to nonendemic areas.Since its discovery, Mpox has been associated with small-scale endemic outbreaks in West and Central Africa.However, the number of outbreaks has recently increased.An outbreak of clade II has spread worldwide since May 2022, and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on July 23, 2022.As of October 25, 2023, more than 91,328 Mpox infections have been reported in 116 countries with 170 deaths [3].Another outbreak of clade Ib began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in December 2023 and spread to neighboring states such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.From 2023 to 29 March 2024, the DRC reported 18,922 Mpox cases, including 1007 deaths [4].As of 14 August 2024, an additional 15,600 confirmed cases and 537 deaths [5], and as of 5 January 2025, another 4058 confirmed cases and 13 deaths [6] were reported.Vaccines, notably smallpox vaccines, offer protection against Mpox infection.In contrast, in a recent study, mRNA-1769 showed superior preclinical efficacy in reducing symptoms and viral replication compared to modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) in monkeys, highlighting potential healthcare strategies against future Mpox epidemics as a scalable, safe, and effective alternative vaccine [7].This commentary discussed the progress in developing mRNA vaccines as a promising healthcare strategy against Mpox. | Conventional (Whole-Virus) Vaccine Against MpoxThe MPXV genome is closely related to other members of the Orthopoxvirus, ranging from the most virulent, variola virus (which causes smallpox) to the less virulent, vaccinia virus (VACV).Vaccines produced from one member of the genus confer immunity against another member.The U.S. Strategic National Stockpile contains several conventional vaccines against smallpox: Aventis Pasteur Smallpox Vaccine (APSV), ACAM2000, JYNNEOS, and LC16m8.Although these vaccines were highly effective, providing lifelong immunity and playing a key role in eradicating smallpox, the APSV and ACAM-2000 were reported to have serious side effects such as
Source: Animal Research and One Health
DOI: 10.1002/aro2.70009
Institution: Gazipur Agricultural University
Language: English
Subfield: Virology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,700
OpenAlex ID: W4409654194