Molecular detection of monkeypox and related viruses – Challenges and opportunities

Abstract

The recent widespread emergence of monkeypox, a rare and endemic zoonotic disease by monkeypox virus (MPXV), has made global headlines. While transmissibility (R0 ≈ 0.58) and fatality rate (0-3%) are low, as it causes prolonged morbidity, monkeypox is leading to considerable public health anxiety. Thus, effective containment and disease management require quick and efficient detection of MPXV. In this bioinformatic overview, we summarize the numerous molecular tests available for MPXV, and discuss the diversity of genes and primers used in the PCR-based detection. Over 90 primer/probe sets are used for the detection of poxviruses. While hemagglutinin and A-type inclusion protein are the most common target genes, TNF receptor and complement binding protein genes are frequently used for distinguishing Congo and west-African clades of MPXV. Problems and possibilities in the detection of MPXV have been discussed.

Expression of Concern: The pathophysiological and immunological background of the monkeypox virus infection: An update

“…TNFR and C3L are typically utilized to discriminate between the Congo and west-African clades of MPXV, while HA and ATI are common gene targets. 114 Certain research studies also have pointed out that p38 and possibly p38-MAPK signaling is crucial in Congo Basin MPXV infections. 121 It was observed that increased p38 phosphorylation is a consequence of Congo Basin MPXV infection, and therapy with the p38 inhibitor SB-202190 reduced Congo Basin MPXV viral yields by 9.5 times more than those of West African MPXV.…”

“…Particularly, the TNFR (also known as J2R) gene appears to be a promising target for the precise detection of MPXV. TNFR and C3L are typically utilized to discriminate between the Congo and west‐African clades of MPXV, while HA and ATI are common gene targets 114 …”