Monkeypox Virus and Orthopox viruses
Pox viruses are DNA viruses.
Monkeypox virus is among the Orthopoxviruses that have the ability to infect humans, including the Variola virus.
The virus contains a lipoprotein membrane on the outside. There are proteins on this membrane that play a role in virulence and entry into the cell.
The genome of the virus consists of three regions. The genome center contains genes involved in viral replication.
The terminal region of the genome is responsible for the virus host and inflammation. At the far end of the genome are the genes that join the DNA ends of the virus.
Monkeypox virus is an old virus. The natural host of the Monkeypox virus is squirrels.
The virus is transmitted to humans through animal contact, and there is human-to-human transmission.
So far, only sporadic cases have been seen because of this.
However, in recent days, the cases that seem to be independent of each other and that have appeared one after another in different countries, "Has the virus's ability to spread increased?" It made us ask the question.
As of 20 May 2022, countries that have suspicious and detected laboratory-confirmed cases:
United Kingdom:
London; 7 cases
Newcastle; 1 case
Southeast; 1 case
Portugal, Lisbon; 14 cases
Spain, Madrid; 7 cases
Canary Islands; 1 suspected case
Italy, Rome; 2 suspected cases
Sweden, Stockholm; 1 case
USA:
Boston; 1 case
NYC; 1 suspected case
Canada, Montreal; 17 suspected cases
France, Paris; 1 suspected case
Belgium, Antwerp; 1 case
Australia: 2 suspected cases
We don't know if it will turn into a pandemic, but if there has been a possible increase in the virus's ability to spread, we should be careful.
We must comply with the precautions specified by health organizations such as WHO and CDC. N99/respirator masks can protect against airborne contamination.
Orthopox viruses can be transmitted to the host by respiratory tract, direct contact, and indirect contact with contaminated objects and surfaces.
The immune system has a B and T cell response to these viruses.
The incubation period of the Monkeypox virus is usually 12 days.
Initially, inguinal lymphadenopathy, fever, and headache are seen. Later clinical findings are lesions similar to smallpox.
There is no vaccine for the Monkeypox virus. However, the protective effectiveness of smallpox vaccine against this virus is 85%.
This vaccine is among the vaccines with the most side effects.
There is a possibility of side effects such as myocarditis, pericarditis, diffuse vaccinia, ensafolomyelitis.
Especially in people with cellular immune disorders, there is a possibility of a side effect called "progressive vaccinia" after vaccination, and this can be a fatal possibility.
Resources
- Basic, clinical and diagnostic Medical Virology (Prof. Dr. Mustafa ALTINDÄ°Åž)
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