Author(s)
Ifshana Shafi, Mr Peerzada Mohammad Idrees, Mr Shaikh Anaitullah
- Manuscript ID: 140510
- Volume: 2
- Issue: 6
- Pages: 1331–1354
Subject Area: Other
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64643/JATIRV2I6-140510Abstract
Monkeypox virus (MPXV), recently termed Mpox virus, is a zoonotic double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the genus Orthopoxvirus within the family Poxviridae. Historically endemic to Central and West Africa, MPXV re-emerged as a global public health concern during the 2022 multicounty outbreak, marking the largest recorded spread outside Africa. This outbreak highlighted significant changes in viral epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and genomic evolution. Unlike most RNA viruses, MPXV possesses a relatively stable DNA genome of approximately 197 kb; however, recent genomic surveillance has revealed an accelerated accumulation of mutations compared to earlier strains. Notably, mutational signatures consistent with host APOBEC3 cytidine deaminase activity suggest strong host-driven evolutionary pressure during sustained human-to-human transmission.
Phylogenetically, MPXV is classified into two principal clades: Clade I (formerly Congo Basin clade), associated with higher virulence and case fatality rates, and Clade II (formerly West African clade), which includes the Clade IIb lineage responsible for the 2022 global outbreak. Comparative genomic analyses demonstrate gene loss, gene duplication, and point mutations—particularly within regions encoding immune modulating and host-range proteins—indicating ongoing viral adaptation to human hosts. These genomic changes may influence transmissibility, immune evasion, and viral fitness, though their precise phenotypic consequences remain under investigation.
This review synthesizes current knowledge on MPXV genomic architecture, evolutionary mechanisms, mutation patterns, and transmission pathways, while discussing their implications for public health surveillance, vaccine effectiveness, antiviral strategies, and outbreak preparedness. Continuous genomic monitoring and integrated epidemiological studies are essential to anticipate future evolutionary trajectories and to mitigate the global impact of this re-emerging orthopoxvirus.