In silico identification of potential effects of natural compounds on monkeypox

The first two case reports of confirmed Mpox in patients with syphilis in a dense urban setting, Can Tho, Vietnam: From clinical presentation, treatment, and epidemiological surveillance to prevention

This report elucidated the first two noteworthy cases of Mpox that manifested as an emerging concern in a densely populated city in Vietnam. Two male patients (22 and 27 years old) were admitted to the hospital due to the presence of small pustules on their faces, accompanied by symptoms of fatigue, drowsiness, and muscle pain. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction confirmed the presence of Mpox. The patients possessed a medical history involving four previous treatments for syphilis, a continuous antiretroviral regimen for over 3 years, no previous history of chickenpox, a lack of vaccination against chickenpox, and engagement in intimate contact with other men. Following a 14-day isolation period coupled with appropriate medical interventions, both patients exhibited stable health conditions, marked by the absence of fever and the desiccation of skin blisters. Subsequently, they were discharged with instructions for ongoing health monitoring. Comprehensive surveillance and monitoring approaches have been implemented for all individuals in close contact with the affected patients, adhering to established guidelines. Notably, no suspected cases have been identified during the current surveillance efforts. The collective findings underscore the significance of robust surveillance, continuous monitoring, and strategic vaccination initiatives, particularly in densely populated urban centers, to effectively manage and mitigate the impact of Mpox outbreaks.

Mechanistic inhibition of Monkeypox and Marburg virus infection by O-rhamnosides and Kaempferol-o-rhamnosides derivatives: a new-fangled computational approach

The increasing incidence of Monkeypox virus (Mpox) and Marburg virus (MARV) infections worldwide presents a significant challenge to global health, as limited treatment options are currently available. This study investigates the potential of several O-rhamnosides and Kaempferol-O-rhamnosides as Mpox and MARV inhibitors using molecular modeling methods, including ADMET, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics/MD simulation. The effectiveness of these compounds against the viruses was assessed using the Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS) prediction. The study's primary focus is molecular docking prediction, which demonstrated that ligands (L07, L08, and L09) bind to Mpox (PDB ID: 4QWO) and MARV (PDB ID: 4OR8) with binding affinities ranging from -8.00 kcal/mol to -9.5 kcal/mol. HOMO-LUMO based quantum calculations were employed to determine the HOMO-LUMO gap of frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and to estimate chemical potential, electronegativity, hardness, and softness. Drug similarity and ADMET prediction assessments of pharmacokinetic properties revealed that the compounds were likely non-carcinogenic, non-hepatotoxic, and rapidly soluble. Molecular dynamic (MD) modeling was used to identify the most favorable docked complexes involving bioactive chemicals. MD simulations indicate that varying types of kaempferol-O-rhamnoside are necessary for successful docking validation and maintaining the stability of the docked complex. These findings could facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic agents for treating illnesses caused by the Mpox and MARV viruses.