A Review on Monkey pox Virus

Abstract

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Poxviridae family of the genus Orthopoxvirus with two different clades known as West African and Congo Basin. Monkeypox (MPX) is a zoonosis that arises from the MPXV and causes a smallpox-like disease. The endemic disease status of MPX was updated to an outbreak worldwide in 2022. Thus, the condition was declared a global health emergency independent of travel issues, accounting for the primary reason for its prevalence outside Africa. The clinical presentation of monkey pox is very similar to the presentation of smallpox. There is no MPXV-specific vaccine; however, currently available vaccines against smallpox enhance the immunization rate. This comprehensive review covers the MPX disease history and the current state of knowledge by assessing broad topics and views related to disease origin, transmission, epidemiology, severity, genome organization and evolution, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Monkeypox can be diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction performed on lesion specimens laboratory diagnostic tests like conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or real-time PCR (RT-PCR) are the most common and accurate diagnostic methods. Antivirals like cidofovir and tecovirimat have been studied upon and used in clinical trials with favorable outcomes. Antiviral immunoglobulins have also been used with success in certain patients for post exposure prophylaxis. The recent outbreak in 2022 has been puzzling given the lack of epidemiological connection and the possible sexual transmission of the virus.