Mpox

Question 1

What is Mpox?

Answer 1

A zoonotic orthopoxvirus. It has two main clades.

Question 2

What are the two clades of Mpox?

Answer 2

• Congo Basin = more severe (10% mortality)
• West African = mild (<1% mortality, caused 2022 global outbreak)

Question 3

What is a zoonotic disease, and how is Mpox an example of one?

Answer 3

A zoonotic disease is a disease that can be trasmitted from a non-human animal to a human. Mpox can be transmitted from primates and rodents.

Question 4

What are the key symptoms associated with Mpox?

Answer 4

• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Centrifugal rash

Question 5

What is the main distinguishing symptom between Mpox and small pox?

Answer 5

Mpox causes swelling of the lymph nodes, whereas smallpox

Question 6

What is the main reservoir for mpox outside of humans?

Answer 6

Rodents

Question 7

What are the main transmission routes from human to human of Mpox?

Answer 7

• Close contact with lesions
• Respiratory droplets (through prolonged face to face contact)
• Fomites in bedding

Question 8

What is the main route of zoonotic transmission of Mpox?

Answer 8

Bites and scratches

Question 9

What was the 2022 outbreak of Mpox transmission mainly associated with?

Answer 9

Sexual contact - male gay sex

Question 10

What is an important factor in Mpox transmission?

Answer 10

Asymptomatic transmission is rare (unlike HIV)

Question 11

What are some control measures for Mpox outbreaks?

Answer 11

• Isolate (2-4 weeks) until lesions crust over
• Contact tracing
• Targeted education to higher risk groups (e.g. male gay communities)

Question 12

What is the main diagnostic method for Mpox?

Answer 12

PCR of swabs taken from lesions.
High sensitivity and specificity, and can even distinguish between clades

Question 13

Why is serology less useful for Mpox diagnosis?

Answer 13

• Virus spends little time in the blood
• Cross reactivity with other poxviruses

Question 14

What is the main drug used to fight Mpox?

Answer 14

TPOXX-
inhibits viral VP376 protein, blocking envelopment- this prevents virus from spreading

Question 15

What is the main vaccine used for Mpox?

Answer 15

MVA-BN, which is a live-attenuated vaccine which works against both clades.
It is a third generation smallpox vaccine