U. of Missouri Scientists Identify Viral Mutations Behind Recent Monkeypox Outbreak

U. of Missouri Scientists Identify Viral Mutations Behind Recent Monkeypox Outbreak

After reviewing strains collected over the past four decades, scientists at the University of Missouri have found mutations in the monkeypox virus, making it less responsive to medicines and, therefore, easier to spread.

“We need to know the problem before we can solve it,” said professor Kamal Singh, who specializes in molecular biology and pathology.

After studying the monkeypox timeline, the scientists used a computer model to map where mutations were located in the virus. Some virus mutations are close to where a vaccine or antibody would interact with the virus, and that could make some treatments less effective.

“Drugs go and bind a certain part of the protein, a certain part of the enzyme. That’s how they interfere with function,” Singh said.

Studying mutations and where they’re located can help scientists make better monkeypox vaccines and treatments, he said. Two of the three drugs used to treat monkeypox bind close to that mutation.

“And obviously, that mutation will affect the binding of these two drugs,” Singh said. “And that is one reason the drugs may not be as effective as we think.”

Scientists hope that by identifying the mutations, researchers can identify targets for new medications targeting the virus.

Meanwhile, cases of monkeypox are plummeting around the world.

…[T]he decline is now unmistakable. WHO Europe, which reported more than 2000 cases per week during the peak in July, is now counting about 100 cases weekly. In the Americas, the other major epicenter of the outbreak, numbers have dropped by more than half (see graphic, right). “We’re seeing a true decline,” Smallwood says.

Vaccines, behavior change among the most affected group—men who have sex with men (MSM)—and immunity after natural infection are all playing a role in that decline, says Erik Volz, an infectious disease modeler at Imperial College London, but how much each factor has contributed is unclear. “This is something we’ve debated a lot internally.”

The answer is important because it determines the likelihood of a resurgence of the virus. Knowing what has driven down cases so far will also help shape strategies to eliminate the virus outside endemic countries in Africa, a goal WHO Europe is already pushing for.

Emergency orders are now being rescinded in the wake of this development. This week, San Diego let its order expire.

County public health officials attribute the drop to outbreak response measures such as contact tracing and vaccinations. Since mid-October, the number of new monkeypox cases has remained at five or fewer per week.

“We have reached a point in our MPOX response where a local health emergency is no longer necessary, now that ample testing, treatment and vaccines are available,” said Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma J. Wooten.

She warned, however, that “the virus remains in the region and there is still work to be done in stopping its spread.”

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