Insights into poxviruses: virology and vaccines
Due to the successful eradication of smallpox worldwide and the cessation of smallpox vaccination campaign in 1980, the human population seems to be more susceptible to poxvirus infection. In the last years, an increased detection of zoonotic orthopoxviruses (OPXVs) has also been observed. In partic...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Acta Virologica |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/av.2025.14597/full |
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| author | Adriana Manuka Irsida Mehmeti Antonia Radaelli Eduart Hashorva Carlo Zanotto Carlo De Giuli Morghen |
| author_facet | Adriana Manuka Irsida Mehmeti Antonia Radaelli Eduart Hashorva Carlo Zanotto Carlo De Giuli Morghen |
| author_sort | Adriana Manuka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Due to the successful eradication of smallpox worldwide and the cessation of smallpox vaccination campaign in 1980, the human population seems to be more susceptible to poxvirus infection. In the last years, an increased detection of zoonotic orthopoxviruses (OPXVs) has also been observed. In particular, in the past 50 years, a high incidence of monkeypox virus (MPXV) disease (MPOX) in both Central and Western Africa was reported. MPXV is not as lethal as variola virus (VARV), the etiological agent of smallpox, but it represents a threat to public health. The global events of MPOX in May 2022, and the ongoing outbreaks in Central and Western Africa in August 2024, have prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare MPXV a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Preventive vaccination remains the most effective control against MPXV. Smallpox vaccines of the second and third generations have been suggested for high-risk groups, in spite of several limitations, such as some adverse events, reduced immunogenicity, and manufacturing issues. The emerging threat of MPXV highlights the urgent need for the development of vaccines that can effectively control MPOX and potentially prevent diseases caused by other related OPXVs. Our study aims at introducing basic information on the biology of poxviruses, and on factors that may contribute to the reemergence of zoonotic poxviruses. It also summarizes the evolution of vaccinia-based vaccines and strategies that may control and prevent future outbreaks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8145f92db8984584a3bacea85131663e |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1336-2305 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Virologica |
| spelling | doaj-art-8145f92db8984584a3bacea85131663e2025-08-20T03:17:19ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Acta Virologica1336-23052025-07-016910.3389/av.2025.1459714597Insights into poxviruses: virology and vaccinesAdriana Manuka0Irsida Mehmeti1Antonia Radaelli2Eduart Hashorva3Carlo Zanotto4Carlo De Giuli Morghen5Faculty of Pharmacy, Catholic University Our Lady of Good Counsel, Tirana, AlbaniaFaculty of Pharmacy, Catholic University Our Lady of Good Counsel, Tirana, AlbaniaDepartment of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Lombardy, ItalyStatistics Service, Obstetrics and Gynecology University Hospital “Queen Geraldine”, Tirana, AlbaniaDepartment of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Lombardy, ItalyFaculty of Pharmacy, Catholic University Our Lady of Good Counsel, Tirana, AlbaniaDue to the successful eradication of smallpox worldwide and the cessation of smallpox vaccination campaign in 1980, the human population seems to be more susceptible to poxvirus infection. In the last years, an increased detection of zoonotic orthopoxviruses (OPXVs) has also been observed. In particular, in the past 50 years, a high incidence of monkeypox virus (MPXV) disease (MPOX) in both Central and Western Africa was reported. MPXV is not as lethal as variola virus (VARV), the etiological agent of smallpox, but it represents a threat to public health. The global events of MPOX in May 2022, and the ongoing outbreaks in Central and Western Africa in August 2024, have prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare MPXV a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Preventive vaccination remains the most effective control against MPXV. Smallpox vaccines of the second and third generations have been suggested for high-risk groups, in spite of several limitations, such as some adverse events, reduced immunogenicity, and manufacturing issues. The emerging threat of MPXV highlights the urgent need for the development of vaccines that can effectively control MPOX and potentially prevent diseases caused by other related OPXVs. Our study aims at introducing basic information on the biology of poxviruses, and on factors that may contribute to the reemergence of zoonotic poxviruses. It also summarizes the evolution of vaccinia-based vaccines and strategies that may control and prevent future outbreaks.https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/av.2025.14597/fullMPXVmonkeypox virusMPOXmonkeypox diseaseOPVXorthopoxvirus |
| spellingShingle | Adriana Manuka Irsida Mehmeti Antonia Radaelli Eduart Hashorva Carlo Zanotto Carlo De Giuli Morghen Insights into poxviruses: virology and vaccines Acta Virologica MPXV monkeypox virus MPOX monkeypox disease OPVX orthopoxvirus |
| title | Insights into poxviruses: virology and vaccines |
| title_full | Insights into poxviruses: virology and vaccines |
| title_fullStr | Insights into poxviruses: virology and vaccines |
| title_full_unstemmed | Insights into poxviruses: virology and vaccines |
| title_short | Insights into poxviruses: virology and vaccines |
| title_sort | insights into poxviruses virology and vaccines |
| topic | MPXV monkeypox virus MPOX monkeypox disease OPVX orthopoxvirus |
| url | https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/av.2025.14597/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT adrianamanuka insightsintopoxvirusesvirologyandvaccines AT irsidamehmeti insightsintopoxvirusesvirologyandvaccines AT antoniaradaelli insightsintopoxvirusesvirologyandvaccines AT eduarthashorva insightsintopoxvirusesvirologyandvaccines AT carlozanotto insightsintopoxvirusesvirologyandvaccines AT carlodegiulimorghen insightsintopoxvirusesvirologyandvaccines |