Scientists from Mount Sinai and the Carlos III Health Institute in Madrid have discovered changes in the monkeypox virus genome that could be linked to the virus’s increased transmissibility during the 2022 outbreak. The findings were published in Nature Communications on April 18th.
Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, which includes the smallpox virus and the vaccinia virus. The 2022 outbreak of monkeypox was the largest recorded outbreak of the virus outside of Africa, with cases reported in the United Kingdom, Israel, and Singapore. The researchers analyzed the genetic sequences of the monkeypox virus obtained from patients in these locations and found specific alterations in the virus’s genome that could contribute to its increased transmissibility. These findings provide important insights into the genetic factors that may affect the spread of monkeypox and could help inform public health efforts to control future outbreaks.
e-stranded DNA virus that can infect animals and humans. MPXV causes a disease known as mpox, with symptoms that include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash. Most cases are mild and tend to get better on their own; however, mpox can be very painful and may lead to permanent scarring. First encountered in 1958 in crab-eating macaque monkeys imported to Belgium, MPXV has caused sporadic human disease outbreaks since the 1970s in Central and Western Africa. In May 2022, multiple countries, including the United States, reported an increasing number of MPXV infections and associated disease, including clusters in cases potentially linked to sup.There have been a series of disease-spreading events in Belgium, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Despite a decrease in the number of new cases associated with the 2022 spillover, unvaccinated individuals are still getting the disease. There is currently an increase in Central Africa due to a new spillover. As the virus continues to spread among humans, the risk of a more transmissible variant emerging and becoming endemic in the human population also increases.
“Biopreparedness and virological surveillance involve studying the factors that contribute to zoonotic spillover and enable human-to-human transmission. When we see significant changes in these factors, it is important to monitor and respond accordingly.”Changes in the fundamental epidemiological characteristics of a viral pathogen like monkeypox should prompt us to delve deeper into the understanding of its transmission dynamics. The rising number of cases currently occurring in Africa, as well as the 2022 epidemic, serve as clear warning signals,” explained Gustavo Palacios, PhD, who is a Professor of Microbiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and one of the main authors of the research.
In order to conduct the study, scientists examined samples from 46 individuals who were infected with MPXV. The diagnosis and sequencing of these samples were carried out at the ISCIII at the onset of the 2022 monkeypox outbreak. The research team conducted thorough sequencing of the virus and obtained high-quality data.The researchers analyzed the complete monkeypox virus genome of each study participant to identify potential connections between genetic variations in the various sequence groups and the virus’s ability to evolve, spread, and infect. The study found that recurring genetic changes were found in specific areas of the genome that could be linked to viral adaptation. These particular areas are believed to affect the virus’s replication cycle, adaptability, and method of entry and exit. These changes occur in regions of the genome known as low complexity genomic regions, which are known to be particularly challenging to understand and study.The researchers utilized advanced sequencing technologies, including single-molecule long-read sequencing and deep short sequencing reads, to sequence and analyze the complete genome. This allowed them to detect genomic alterations within repetitive sequences and connect them to important viral functions. As a result, they were able to explain why the heightened transmissibility observed during the 2022 mpox outbreak was overlooked before. The findings from this study could be the first clues in understanding the outbreak.Dr. Palacios explains, “We need to understand the unique characteristics of the strains linked to sustained human-to-human transmission, which has never been observed in these agents. A better understanding of the factors that facilitate the transmission of viral agents and how they affect clinical presentations will help us develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
