Summary
- Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a zoonotic disease primarily transmitted to humans through physical contact with infected wild animals or materials.
- A recent outbreak of MPXV in over 50 countries led to a global health emergency, mostly affecting men who have sex with men.
- The study investigated the use of a gene marker, G2R, as an indicator of ongoing viral replication in MPXV-infected cells and clinical samples.
- Results showed that G2R-mRNA levels correlated with viral replication, with skin lesions posing a higher infectivity risk compared to other biological regions.
- Sexual contact was identified as the main route of transmission for MPXV, with semen samples playing a minor role independent of viral DNA load.
Recently, a study conducted by researchers at the National Institute for Infectious Diseases in Rome, Italy, has shed light on the transmission of monkeypox virus (MPXV) and its potential impact on public health. MPXV is a virus that typically infects animals in the wild, such as squirrels and rats, but can also be transmitted to humans through close contact with infected animals or materials.
The study focused on the recent outbreak of MPXV, which spread to over 50 countries during May–June 2022, prompting the World Health Organization to declare it a public health emergency. The outbreak, fueled by human-to-human transmission, particularly among men who have sex with men, raised concerns about the virus’s mode of transmission.
Researchers investigated the use of a gene called G2R as a marker of ongoing viral replication, which could provide insights into how the virus spreads. Through in vitro experiments using infected cells and analyzing clinical samples from MPXV-positive patients, they found that G2R-mRNA levels could indicate active viral replication.
The study highlighted the presence of MPXV DNA and G2R-mRNA in skin lesions, nasopharyngeal swabs, urine, and semen samples from infected individuals. The results suggested that skin lesions posed a higher infectivity risk, while semen samples played a minor role in transmission, regardless of viral load.
Overall, the research findings contribute to a better understanding of how MPXV is transmitted and emphasize the importance of developing appropriate interventions to prevent the spread of the virus. The study was funded by the Ministero della Salute and involved collaboration among researchers with expertise in viral infections.
The research team, led by Dr. Sberna, hopes that their findings will support decision-making regarding protective measures for individuals affected by MPXV and their close contacts. Their work underscores the need for continued research to combat infectious diseases and protect public health.
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Infectious Diseases, Public Health & Prevention