The Global Health Threat of Monkeypox Virus: Understanding Its Biology, Transmission, and Potential Therapeutic Interventions

Abstract

Monkeypox virus (MPXV), a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, shares its genus with Variola virus (VARV), the causative agent of smallpox, and Vaccinia virus (VACV), used for smallpox vaccination. While smallpox has been eradicated, MPXV and related poxviruses continue to pose a global health threat. Monkeypox (Mpox), similar in clinical presentation to smallpox but milder, is endemic in Central and West Africa. Sporadic outbreaks emphasize the potential for wider dissemination. Understanding their biology, transmission, immune evasion, and clinical features informs disease control strategies. The intersection of medical innovation and biotechnology with poxviruses underscores their importance in both disease and scientific advancement. Further research is essential to enhance prevention, management, and therapeutic interventions for these viruses.

Keywords:

• monkeypox
• poxviruses
• biology
• epidemiology
• vaccines and antivirals
• biotechnology

Abbreviations

MPXV, Monkeypox virus; Mpox, Monkeypox; VACV, Vaccinia virus; VARV, Variola virus; PRRs, Pattern Recognition Receptors; PAMPs, Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns.

Disclosure

None of the authors has any conflict of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2022M721682), the Young Scientists Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82103896) and Nanjing Medical Science and Technology Development Foundation (ZKX20039).