What has been researched about Monkeypox? A bibliometric analysis of an old zoonotic virus causing global concern

The Re-Emergence of Mpox: Old Illness, Modern Challenges

The Mpox virus (MPXV) is known to cause zoonotic disease in humans. The virus belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus, of the family Poxviridae, and was first reported in monkeys in 1959 in Denmark and in humans in 1970 in the Congo. MPXV first appeared in the U.S. in 2003, re-emerged in 2017, and spread globally within a few years. Wild African rodents are thought to be the reservoir of MPXV. The exotic trade of animals and international travel can contribute to the spread of the Mpox virus. A phylogenetic analysis of MPXV revealed two distinct clades (Central African clade and West African clade). The smallpox vaccine shows cross-protection against MPXV infections in humans. Those who have not previously been exposed to Orthopoxvirus infections are more vulnerable to MPXV infections. Clinical manifestations in humans include fever, muscle pain, headache, and vesicle formation on the skin of infected individuals. Pathognomonic lesions include ballooning degenerations with Guarnieri-like inclusions in vesicular epithelial cells. Alterations in viral genome through genetic mutations might favor the re-emergence of a version of MPXV with enhanced virulence. As of November 2023, 92,783 cases and 171 deaths have been reported in 116 countries, representing a global public health concern. Here, we provide insights on the re-emergence of MPXV in humans. This review covers the origin, emergence, re-emergence, transmission, pathology, diagnosis, control measures, and immunomodulation of the virus, as well as clinical manifestations. Concerted efforts of health professionals and scientists are needed to prevent the disease and stop its transmission in vulnerable populations.

Dynamics of Mpox infection in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The seasonal outbreaks of Mpox continue in most parts of West and Central Africa. In the past year, Nigeria had the highest number of reported cases. Here, we used the PRISMA guidelines to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis of available evidence on Mpox in Nigeria to assess the prevalence, transmission pattern, diagnostic approach, and other associated factors useful for mitigating the transmission of the disease. All relevant observational studies in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, AJOL, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar on Mpox in Nigeria were assessed within the last fifty years (1972 to 2022). In all, 92 relevant articles were retrieved, out of which 23 were included in the final qualitative analysis. Notably, most of the cases of Mpox in Nigeria were from the southern part of the country. Our findings showed a progressive spread from the southern to the northern region of the country. We identified the following factors as important in the transmission of Mpox in Nigeria; poverty, lack of basic healthcare facilities, and risk of exposure through unsafe sexual practices. Our findings reiterate the need to strengthen and expand existing efforts as well as establish robust multi-sectoral collaboration to understand the dynamics of Mpox Nigeria.

Mpox vaccine acceptance among healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Mpox is a zoonotic viral disease that emerged in May 2022 and has since shown a high prevalence in non-mpox-endemic areas, resulting in an outbreak that caused more than 84,000 cases in 110 countries around the globe. Several vaccines are available to prevent the disease, and multiple studies have been conducted to assess the attitudes of different populations toward receiving the mpox vaccine. This study systematically reviews all the studies conducted on mpox vaccine acceptance/hesitancy among healthcare workers.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted through four electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, up to March 2023. Studies that described mpox vaccine acceptance/hesitancy among healthcare workers were included, and the data were extracted using a uniform extraction sheet. Following the extraction, the meta-analysis included ten studies with 7322 healthcare workers. Three researchers independently assessed the risk of bias in the included study using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).

RESULTS

Ten studies were included in the review. This review indicates that the prevalence of mpox vaccine acceptance was 58.5%, and the prevalence of mpox vaccine hesitancy was 41.5%. There was a higher prevalence of acceptance in countries located in Asian and African areas compared to those in North America and Europe, estimated at 68% and 44.3%, respectively. Among the studies conducted solely among physicians, there was a high prevalence of mpox vaccine acceptance, at 77.1%, compared to 49% in studies that included all healthcare workers.

CONCLUSION

There is a significant variation in the prevalence of mpox vaccine acceptance among different populations. Further research is needed to identify the factors that contribute to this variation and to develop interventions to increase vaccine acceptance. In addition, it is important to promote research on mpox vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among healthcare workers in countries where data is limited. This research will help policymakers develop effective policies to increase acceptance and reduce the disease burden.

Addressing the resurgence of global monkeypox (Mpox) through advanced drug delivery platforms

Monkeypox (Mpox) is a transmissible infection induced by the Monkeypox virus (a double-stranded DNA virus), recognised under the family orthopoxvirus genus. Monkeypox, like endemic diseases, is a substantial concern worldwide; thus, comprehending the pathogenesis and mutagenesis of amino acids is indispensable to combat the infection. According to the World Health Organization's report, about 89 thousand cases with 160 mortalities have been reported from 114 countries worldwide. The conventional orthopoxvirus vaccines developed on live attenuated viruses exempted any clinical validation from combating monkeypox due to inadequate immunogenicity, toxicity, instability, and multiple doses. Therefore, novel drug delivery systems come into the conception with high biological and mechanical characteristics to address the resurgence of Global Monkeypox. The edges of metallic biomaterials, novel molecules, and vaccine development in targeted therapy increase the modulation of the immune response and blockage of host-virus interaction, with enhanced stability for the antigens. Thus, this review strives to comprehend the viral cell pathogenesis concerning amino acid mutagenesis and current epidemiological standards of the Monkeypox disease across the globe. Furthermore, the review also recapitulates the various clinical challenges, current therapies, and progressive nanomedicine utilisation in the Monkeypox outbreak reinforced by various clinical trial reports. The contemporary challenges of novel drug delivery systems in Monkeypox treatment cannot be overlooked, and thus, authors have outlined the future strategies to develop successful nanomedicine to combat monkeypox. Future pandemics are inevitable but can be satisfactorily handled if we comprehend the crises, innovate, and develop cutting-edge technologies, especially by delving into frontiers like nanotechnology.

Update on Mpox: a brief narrative review

Mpox (formerly Monkeypox), a neglected tropical disease once confined to Central and West Africa, emerged as a global epidemic outbreak in May, 2022 with 87,529 cases reported as of May, 23, 2023. It predominantly affected men (96.2%) who have sex with men (84-100%), although other transmission routes have been reported, including occupational exposure and vertical transmission. Concomitant HIV infection has been recorded in 21-46.9% and pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV infection has been reported in 11-57% of published cases. The current outbreak clinical presentation differs from endemic cases with prodromal symptoms that could be absent: the number of lesions is generally low, with skin lesions predominantly localised in the ano-genital areas and frequent lesions present in different stages of progression (i.e., asynchronous). Asymptomatic Mpox infection can occur in 1.8-6.5% of at-risk subjects. People living with HIV with severe immunodeficiency (less than 100 CD4+ lymphocytes per microliter) are at risk of more severe clinical manifestations and death. According to a systematic review and meta-analysis, the hospitalisation rate is around 6% and the observed case-fatality rate is less than 0.1%. Tecovirimat is the drug of choice for treating severe cases although there is no evidence of efficacy from randomised controlled trials. Immunization with a live non-replicating vaccine (JYNNEOS) effectively reduces the disease's incidence.

Global Monkeypox Virus Outbreak 2022: A Bibliometric Analysis

Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which spreads by direct contact mainly, thus having the propensity to cause future epidemics. The current review aimed to provide an up-to-date literature analysis for evaluating scientific data on monkeypox. A bibliometric analysis was conducted through eight electronic databases. The search period was from May 2022 to December 2023. All the articles were exported to Mendeley (Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands). The literature search resulted in 415 relevant research articles. The growth of publications gradually rose, initiated in January 2022, leading to a rapid upsurge in May 2022. A total of 409 documents reported the number of citations, with two articles documenting the highest number, ranging from 146-150 and 216-220. The European region (EURO) dominated in publishing research articles on monkeypox, with the United States having the highest number of reports (n = 41; 9.87%), followed by the United Kingdom (n = 35; 8.43%) and Italy (n = 15; 3.61%). There were 82 funding agencies that funded 44 research articles, whereas 371 were not funded by any funding agency. Our analysis has presented the outline of the research articles published on monkeypox virus-related literature during the current outbreak. Research articles should be financially and administratively supported. Future research is required to expand research on the monkeypox virus, as there is a growing demand for original articles.

Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Monkeypox Virus among Physicians in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

The growing incidence of human monkeypox cases emphasizes the significance of prevention, early detection, and prompt responses for healthcare providers. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward monkeypox infection among physicians, a frontline healthcare worker group, in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey assessing knowledge and attitudes towards monkeypox infection on multiple-item scales was sent to physicians in Saudi Arabia. The associations between independent factors and either knowledge or attitude were assessed. The final analysis included 398 participants. Approximately 55% of the surveyed participants had a "good knowledge" score about human monkeypox. The adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that being a female physician, working in the private sector, and having information on human monkeypox during medical school or residency years were the only factors associated with a good level of knowledge about human monkeypox. However, physicians' knowledge and attitudes regarding monkeypox infection are inadequate and influenced by various factors. There is a significant knowledge gap between the therapeutic management of monkeypox and its vaccination. Training and knowledge assessments are important, especially when studies show significant improvement in related and specific knowledge.

Disease History, Pathogenesis, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics for Human Monkeypox Disease: A Comprehensive Review

The monkeypox disease is a zoonotic-infectious disease that transmits between animals and humans. It is caused by a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus that is closely related to the variola virus -the causative agent of smallpox. Although monkeypox infections were endemic to Western and Central Africa, the newly emerging monkeypox outbreak spread to more than 90 non-African countries. With the exception of the PCR-confirmed case of a return from Nigeria to the United Kingdom, the ongoing outbreak is largely unrelated to travel. In the most recent wave, cases are characteristically males in their thirties. Risk factors include close and particularly sexual contact with an infected person, and contact with fomites, infected animals or aerosolized-infectious material. Clinical diagnosis of monkeypox is confirmed with nucleic-acid amplification testing of samples originating from vesicles or genital lesions and using real-time or conventional PCR. Other methods, such as electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and virus culture are costly and time-consuming. In addition to timely diagnosis and contact tracing, restrictive measures to limit spread, such as isolation of infected patients, preventing contact with wild animals, and isolation of animals suspected to be viral reservoirs have shown promise. Although there are no specific treatments for monkeypox disease, the experience with smallpox suggests that the vaccinia vaccine, cidofovir, tecovirimat, and vaccinia immune globulin (IVG) may be beneficial for monkeypox treatment. In this review, we provide an update on the human-monkeypox disease with a special emphasis on its pathogenesis, prevention, diagnostics, and therapeutic measures.

The virology of human monkeypox virus (hMPXV): A brief overview

First described in 1958, the human monkeypox virus (hMPXV) is a neglected zoonotic pathogen closely associated with the smallpox virus. The virus usually spreads via close contact with the infected animal or human and has been endemic mostly in parts of the African continent. However, with the recent increase in trade, tourism, and travel, the virus has caused outbreaks in countries outside Africa. The recent outbreak in 2022 has been puzzling given the lack of epidemiological connection and the possible sexual transmission of the virus. Furthermore, there is limited understanding of the structural and pathogenetic mechanisms that are employed by the virus to invade the host cells. Henceforth, it is critical to understand the working apparatus governing the viral-immune interactions to develop effective therapeutical and prophylactic modalities. Hence, in the present short communication, we summarize the previously reported research findings regarding the virology of the human monkeypox virus.

Global research profile on monkeypox-related literature (1962-2022): A bibliometric analysis

The recent monkeypox or mpox outbreak has been a global concern. The present study evaluated the global research outputs, research trends, and topics of published research on monkeypox using a bibliometric approach. The Scopus database was searched for terms associated with "monkeypox" or "monkey pox" up until 19 November 2022. Maps and bibliometric indicators of the retrieved documents were shown and analyzed. A total of 1,422 documents were obtained from Scopus. Other than monkeypox, the most commonly used terms included epidemic, disease outbreaks, smallpox vaccine, and orthopoxvirus. In total, 90.3% of the documents were published between 2002 and 2022. The United States, the United Kingdom, and India were the top three countries in terms of productivity. Most of the institutions were from the United States. The International Journal of Surgery, the Journal of Medical Virology, and the Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease are some of the top journals currently publishing research on monkeypox. Tecovirimat, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), homosexuality, and pandemic are emerging topics related to monkeypox.

Acceptance towards Monkeypox Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Vaccination it is considered a vital strategy in order to mitigate monkeypox by protecting from severe disease and helping in reduction of hospitalisations. In this sense, this study aims to estimate the global prevalence of vaccination acceptance against monkeypox. We conducted a systematic review with a comprehensive search strategy for the following databases: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. A random-effect model meta-analysis was carried out using observational studies assessing the intention of vaccines against monkeypox from multiple continents. The quality assessment was developed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale adapted for cross-sectional studies. In addition, a subgroup analysis by study location and population and a sensitivity analysis was developed.Eleven cross-sectional studies were included. A total of 8045 participants were included. The pooled prevalence of monkeypox vaccination acceptance in all participants was 56.0% (95%CI: 42.0-70.0%). In the subgroup analysis of monkeypox vaccine acceptance according to continents, the prevalence of vaccine acceptance was 50.0% (95%CI: 24.0-76.0%) in Asian countries and 70.0% (95%CI: 55.0-84.0%) in European countries. The prevalence of vaccine acceptance was 43.0% (95%CI: 35.0-50.0%) in the general population, 63.0% (95%CI: 42.0-70.0%) in healthcare workers, and 84.0% (95%CI: 83.0-86.0%) in the LGBTI community. Despite the high prevalence of monkeypox vaccination acceptance in the LGBTI community found in our study, vaccination acceptance from healthcare workers and the general population are lower. Governments could use these results for planning, developing or promoting vaccination strategies and public health policies focused on these populations.

Integrated Analgesic Care in the Current Human Monkeypox Outbreak: Perspectives on an Integrated and Holistic Approach Combining Old Allies with Innovative Technologies

Monkeypox (MPX) is a zoonotic infection caused by an orthopoxvirus that is endemic to Central and Western Africa. The MPX virus is a part of the same family of viruses as the variola virus, which causes smallpox. Since May 2022, there has been a global increase in the incidence of MPX infections in multiple countries where the illness is not usually prevalent. A growing number of publications have emphasized on the need for increased awareness among all health professionals for the rapid recognition and diagnosis of this disease and for proper public health measures. However, atypical presentations and occurrence of uncommon symptoms receive less than the desired attention. More specifically, MPX infection related nociceptive symptoms are currently underexposed. Nevertheless, reports from the current outbreak have revealed that (severe) pain is one of the major causes for distress and even hospitalization in these patients. As for all serious pain conditions, an integrated, multidisciplinary, and holistic approach is indicated. This approach should be multimodal and include non-pharmacological therapies alongside pharmacological approaches. Health care professionals should be aware of available alternatives when first choice analgesic therapies fail. Protocols for identification of pain type and prolonged monitoring of clinical status should be implemented to improve patient well-being during acute infection, but also prevent chronic nociceptive syndromes.

Human monkeypox disease (MPX)

Monkeypox is a rare viral infection, endemic in many central and western African countries. The last international outbreak of monkeypox reported outside Africa occurred back in 2003. However, monkeypox has reemerged at a global scale with numerous confirmed cases across the globe in 2022. The rapid spread of cases through different countries has raised serious concerns among public health officials worldwide prompting accelerated investigations aimed to identify the origins and cause of the rapid expansion of cases. The current situation is reminiscent of the very early stages of the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Overlapping features between these, two seemingly alike viral entities include the possibility for airborne transmission and the currently unexplained and rapid spread across borders. Early recognition of cases and timely intervention of potential transmission chains are necessary to contain further outbreaks. Measures should include rapid and accurate diagnosis of cases meeting case definitions, active surveillance efforts, and appropriate containment of confirmed cases. Governments and health policymakers must apply lessons learned from previous outbreaks and start taking active steps toward limiting the recent global spread of monkeypox. Herein, we discuss the status of the current monkeypox outbreaks worldwide, the epidemiological and public health situation at a global scale and what can be done to keep at bay its further expansion and future global implications.

Clinical features, hospitalisation and deaths associated with monkeypox: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

A multicountry monkeypox disease (MPX) outbreak began in May 2022 in Europe, leading to the assessment as a potential Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on June 23, 2022. Some observational studies have partially characterised clinical features, hospitalisations, and deaths. However, no systematic reviews of this MPX outbreak have been published.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis, using five databases to assess clinical features, hospitalisations, complications and deaths of MPX confirmed or probable cases. Observational studies, case reports and case series, were included. We performed a random-effects model meta-analysis to calculate the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). In addition, we carried out a subgroup analysis according to the continents and a sensitivity analysis excluding studies classified as having a high risk of bias.

RESULTS

A total of 19 articles were included, using only 12 articles in the quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis). For 1958 patients, rash (93%, 95% CI 80-100%), fever (72%, 95% CI 30-99%), pruritus (65%, 95% CI 47-81%), and lymphadenopathy (62%, 47-76%), were the most prevalent manifestations. Among the patients, 35% (95% CI 14-59%) were hospitalised. Some 4% (95% CI 1-9%) of hospitalised patients had fatal outcomes (case fatality rate, CFR).

CONCLUSION

MPX is spreading rapidly, with a third of hospitalised patients, but less than 5% with fatal outcomes. As this zoonotic virus spreads globally, countries must urgently prepare human resources, infrastructure and facilities to treat patients according to the emerging guidelines and the most reliable clinical information.

Rising Concern of Monkeypox as a Viral Zoonosis After COVID-19 Era

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Monkeypox - a description of the clinical progression of skin lesions: a case report from Colorado, USA

A rapidly emerging global outbreak of monkeypox virus infection (MPXV) in over 50 non-endemic countries was identified in May 2022. We report the case and images of a patient with MPXV presenting with genital lesions later complicated by superimposed cellulitis in Colorado, USA. MPXV lesions are susceptible to bacterial superinfection, and with the advent of new cases, the early identification of skin lesions and their evolution during MPXV are imperative for treating clinicians. Clinicians should consider MPXV in differential diagnoses of sexually transmitted diseases presenting with genital lesions.