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Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. Poxviruses are large, enveloped, DNA viruses that infect vertebrate and invertebrate species and replicate entirely in the cytoplasm. Other poxvirus include variola virus, cowpox virus, and vaccinia virus. Human monkeypox was first identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a 9-month-old boy. Monkeypox is similar to smallpox caused by variola virus in its clinical syndromes, such as fever and rash, but the major difference distinguishing monkeypox from smallpox is the lymph node enlargement that occurs early, often at the onset of fever. MPXV is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding.
Fig. 1 The stucture of monkeypox virus (Sklenovská N. 2020)
Monkeypox occurs primarily in tropical rainforest regions of Central and Western Africa, though it has been exported to other regions. Two genetic clades of Monkeypox virus have been characterized including the West African and the Central African clade. These two clades are geographically separated and have defined epidemiological and clinical differences. The West African clade demonstrates a case fatality rate <1%, and no human-to-human transmission was ever documented. In comparison, the Central African clade show a case fatality rate up to 11%, and with human-to-human transmission.
Fig. 2 Poxvirus replication cycle (McFadden G. 2005)
The major laboratory tests include Orthopoxvirus PCR test and antibody test. While an antiviral agent known as tecovirimat, developed for the treatment of smallpox, has also been licensed for the treatment of monkeypox, it has not been widely used in people who are sick with the disease. Smallpox vaccine offers some protection against monkeypox. It is estimated that smallpox vaccination gives 85% protection against monkeypox.
Creative Diagnostics now can offers recombinant monkeypox virus proteins. Please contact our sales representative to know more details.
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