Monkey Variola Resistance to Main Treatment
- PARIS – The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in August 2024, following a surge in cases primarily in Central...
- France reported 215 mpox cases in 2024, with at least 10 infections confirmed since Jan.
- While generally well-tolerated, tecovirimat proves ineffective against certain mpox virus variants carrying a mutation on a specific enzyme.However, the interaction mechanisms of the medication and this enzyme are...
Mpox Research Reveals Drug Resistance Mechanisms, Sparking New Treatment Hopes
Table of Contents
- Mpox Research Reveals Drug Resistance Mechanisms, Sparking New Treatment Hopes
- Mpox Research: Answers to Your Top Questions
- What is Mpox?
- How is Mpox spread?
- What are the Symptoms of Mpox?
- How is Mpox Treated?
- Why is Tecovirimat Sometimes Ineffective Against Mpox?
- What Role Does the Phospholipase F13 Enzyme Play?
- How Does Tecovirimat Work to Fight Mpox?
- what Did Researchers at the Institut Pasteur Discover About Tecovirimat Resistance?
- What are the key differences between the 2024 and 2025 Mpox outbreaks?
- Where are mpox Outbreaks Occurring?
- How Does Mpox Compare to Human Smallpox?
- What are the Future Treatment Hopes for Mpox?
- Summary of Key Information
PARIS – The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in August 2024, following a surge in cases primarily in Central and Western Africa. The Democratic Republic of Congo has been the epicenter, reporting at least 38,000 suspected cases and over 1,000 deaths in the past year. The disease has also spread to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda.
France reported 215 mpox cases in 2024, with at least 10 infections confirmed since Jan. 1, 2025. Health officials are primarily using tecovirimat,an antiviral medication typically prescribed for human smallpox,to combat the zoonotic disease,which transmits from animals to humans.
While generally well-tolerated, tecovirimat proves ineffective against certain mpox virus variants carrying a mutation on a specific enzyme.However, the interaction mechanisms of the medication and this enzyme are well understood, according to researchers.
Institut Pasteur Biologists Identify Resistance Causes
A team of biologists at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, led by Pablo Guardado-Calvo, recently investigated this interaction, pinpointing the causes of drug resistance.
Guardado-Calvo stated that a key difference in recent mpox outbreaks is that ”the disease is no longer just a zoonosis. It is transmitted community,from man to man,and it is this rapid adaptation which is the most disturbing.”
Mpox Symptoms and Transmission
Initial mpox symptoms include aches, headaches, and fatigue. Rashes then develop across the body, frequently enough accompanied by fever and swollen lymph nodes. The virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, skin lesions, and mucous membranes, as well as indirectly via contaminated objects like clothing.
While similar to human smallpox,mpox generally presents with less severe symptoms and a lower mortality rate.
How Tecovirimat Works and Why It Sometimes Fails
Tecovirimat functions by preventing the virus from exiting infected cells, thus halting its spread.Guardado-Calvo noted that virus strains resistant to tecovirimat all exhibit mutations on phospholipase F13, an enzyme crucial for forming the viral particle envelope.
Scientists hypothesized that tecovirimat blocks infection by interacting with this enzyme. Biologists at the Institut Pasteur analyzed the structure of F13 using X-ray crystallography, both independently and in conjunction with the drug.
These observations revealed that tecovirimat acts as a “molecular glue,” binding two F13 phospholipases together.This prevents them from performing their function,effectively blocking the virus.
Future Therapeutic Solutions
By gaining a deeper understanding of how tecovirimat functions, researchers are paving the way for alternative therapeutic solutions to overcome resistance in targeted viruses. The Institut Pasteur biologists are now focused on developing new antiviral drugs.
Mpox Research: Answers to Your Top Questions
What is Mpox?
Mpox is a zoonotic disease,meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. It is caused by the mpox virus, which is closely related to the smallpox virus.
How is Mpox spread?
The mpox virus spreads through:
- Direct contact with bodily fluids
- Contact with skin lesions
- Contact with mucous membranes
- Indirect contact with contaminated objects (e.g., clothing)
What are the Symptoms of Mpox?
Initial symptoms often include aches, headaches, and fatigue. Rashes than develop across the body, frequently accompanied by fever and swollen lymph nodes.
How is Mpox Treated?
Currently, health officials are primarily using tecovirimat, an antiviral medication typically prescribed for human smallpox, to combat mpox.
Why is Tecovirimat Sometimes Ineffective Against Mpox?
Tecovirimat can be ineffective against certain mpox virus variants. These variants have mutations on the enzyme phospholipase F13.
What Role Does the Phospholipase F13 Enzyme Play?
The phospholipase F13 enzyme is crucial for forming the viral particle envelope. When a mutation occurs on this enzyme,Tecovirimat is less effective.
How Does Tecovirimat Work to Fight Mpox?
Tecovirimat functions by preventing the virus from exiting infected cells, thus halting its spread. Researchers have found that tecovirimat acts as a “molecular glue,” binding two F13 phospholipases together.This prevents them from performing their function, effectively blocking the virus.
what Did Researchers at the Institut Pasteur Discover About Tecovirimat Resistance?
Researchers at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, led by Pablo Guardado-Calvo, identified that resistance to tecovirimat is caused by mutations on the F13 enzyme. They used X-ray crystallography to analyze the interaction between tecovirimat and F13, pinpointing the mechanism of drug resistance.
What are the key differences between the 2024 and 2025 Mpox outbreaks?
According to Guardado-Calvo, a key difference in recent mpox outbreaks is that “the disease is no longer just a zoonosis. It is indeed transmitted community,from man to man,and it is this rapid adaptation which is the most disturbing.”
Where are mpox Outbreaks Occurring?
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in August 2024, following a surge in cases primarily in Central and Western Africa. The Democratic Republic of Congo has been the epicenter. Furthermore, cases have spread to neighboring countries including Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda.
How Does Mpox Compare to Human Smallpox?
While similar to human smallpox, mpox generally presents with less severe symptoms and a lower mortality rate.
What are the Future Treatment Hopes for Mpox?
By gaining a deeper understanding of how tecovirimat functions and why resistance occurs, researchers are paving the way for option therapeutic solutions. The Institut Pasteur biologists are now focused on developing new antiviral drugs.
Summary of Key Information
Here’s a concise overview:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Disease | Mpox |
| transmission | Direct contact with bodily fluids, skin lesions, and mucous membranes; indirect contact through contaminated objects. |
| Common Treatment | Tecovirimat |
| Resistance Mechanism | Mutations on the Phospholipase F13 enzyme. |
| Research Focus | Developing new antiviral drugs. |
Disclaimer: This information is based on the provided article, and it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional for the most up-to-date information and advice.