Smallpox News and Research

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Smallpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the variola virus, a member of the Orthopox virus family. It is one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity, with a mortality rate as high as 30%. In 1967, the World Health Organization embarked upon an intensified vaccination campaign to eliminate smallpox, which culminated in the successful eradication of the disease globally by 1980.

By the mid-1980s, there were only two known repositories of variola virus: the Institute of Virus Preparations in Russia, and the US CDC. The events in the US in September and October 2001 highlighted the risk that the variola virus might be used as an agent of bioterrorism. Governments around the world are taking precautionary measures to be ready to deal with a potential smallpox outbreak.

Discovery of a potential new target for new MPOX or broad pox vaccines

In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers in the United Kingdom developed a pooled enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay using mpox (MPX) virus (MPXV) antigens and vaccinia virus (VACV) antigens. They also assessed humoral responses to and identification of antigens of MPXV IIa clade and IIb clade, in comparison to recipients of smallpox vaccines (ACAM2000 and IMVANEX).

12 Jan 2023

Genomic analysis of mpox virus genomes reveal multiple lineages with human-to-human transmissibility

Researchers from Nigeria and the United Kingdom (U.K.) analyzed mpox virus genomes and found that divergent lineages of the mpox virus exhibiting human-to-human transmission existed in the Nigerian population before the 2022 spread of the virus outside of the endemic regions.

10 Jan 2023

Study suggests a single dose of JYNNEOS vaccine may lessen the severity of mpox illness

Researchers pursued evidence that the JYNNEOS vaccine offered some protection against the mpox disease, especially they confirmed the duration for which the one dose of this vaccine conferred protection.

3 Jan 2023

Novel mRNA-lipid nanoparticle vaccine encoding four mpox virus surface proteins generates robust immune responses against orthopoxviruses

Researchers described a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-lipid nanoparticle monkeypox vaccine encoding four conserved monkeypox virus surface proteins which induced monkeypox virus-specific immunity and elicited heterologous protection when challenged with lethal vaccinia virus.

23 Dec 2022

Characterization of anti-orthopoxvirus antibody response in general population and gay men

Scientists have recently estimated and compared anti-mpox and anti-vaccinia antibodies in gay men and the general population.

22 Dec 2022

Single-dose smallpox vaccine could be effective against mpox

Researchers estimated the efficacy of a single-dose Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavaria Nordic (MVA-BN) vaccine against mpox (MPX) in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).

19 Dec 2022

Study examines Mpox prevention with modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA)

A new Eurosurveillance study investigated the efficacy of the MVA-BN vaccine, which was administered to individuals after exposure to the virus.

18 Dec 2022

mRNA vaccine methodologies: Production, value and spectrometer use

To be decided by the editor

From Thermo Fisher Scientific – Materials & Structural Analysis 16 Dec 2022

Knowledge and attitudes to mpox among GBMSM in Australia

Researchers presented the results of a cross-sectional survey done in Australia between August and September 2022.

12 Dec 2022

Enveloped viruses show greater cross-species transmission, according to new research

New research found that enveloped viruses harbor greater cross-species transmissibility and are more likely to cause zoonotic infections than nonenveloped viruses.

9 Dec 2022

Exploring immunogenicity, boosting efficacy and safety of modified vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic vaccine

Researchers evaluated the immunogenicity, boosting efficacy, and safety of single-dose and two-dose MVA-BN (modified vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic) vaccinations in comparison to replicating smallpox vaccines.

7 Dec 2022

Vaccine MVA-BN shows consistent, robust immunogenicity and safety results

A phase III clinical trial showed consistent immunogenicity for a freeze-dried formulation of Bavarian Nordic's Modified Vaccinia Ankara.

5 Dec 2022

Mpox virus from Clade 2b is the least virulent strain according to new study

Researchers used the CAST/EiJ mouse model to test whether genetic differences between clades 1, 2a, and 2b of the monkeypox virus contribute to changes in transmission and virulence of the disease.

5 Dec 2022

New evidence of mpox virus transmission before onset of symptoms

Researchers extensively followed-up high-risk contacts of clade IIb mpox (MPX) virus (MPXV)-infected patients to evaluate the risk of MPX after MPXV exposure and to characterize early MPXV infections.

30 Nov 2022

Monkeypox renamed "mpox" in an effort to combat stigma

WHO announces that the monkeypox virus will now be referred to as “mpox” in an effort to reduce the stigmatization of this condition.

29 Nov 2022

Small UK study investigates the effectiveness of a single MVA-BN dose against mpox disease

Researchers estimated the single-dose MVA-BN vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic mpox among high-risk gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in England.

29 Nov 2022

Modeling study offers a road map for public health to maximize the impact of monkeypox vaccines

A modeling study to explore optimal allocation of vaccines against monkeypox virus (MPXV) provides a road map for public health to maximize the impact of a limited supply of vaccines.

28 Nov 2022

Novel mRNA vaccines encoding Monkeypox virus proteins show promise in preclinical studies

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers in China demonstrated the efficacy of three messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology-based Monkeypox virus (MPXV) vaccines in combating a lethal Vaccinia virus (VACV) challenge in mice models.

22 Nov 2022

Study concludes monkeypox virus is readily detected by qPCR using three clinically validated assays

Researchers validated monkeypox virus (MPXV) quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays.

17 Nov 2022

Black, Hispanic MSM disproportionately affected by monkeypox

A recent study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report described the epidemiologic characteristics of the monkeypox (MPX) outbreak in the United States (US).

15 Nov 2022