Retrospective Analysis Revealed an April Occurrence of Monkeypox in the Czech Republic

Article Infectious Diseases

Ongoing monkeypox virus outbreak, Portugal, 29 April to 23 May 2022

Mariana Perez Duque et al.

Summary: Portugal has detected 96 confirmed cases of monkeypox as of 27 May 2022. Among the 27 confirmed cases, all were males with a median age of 33 years (range: 22-51). The earliest symptom onset date was 29 April. The majority of cases (25 out of 27) were found in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley health region. Most cases were not associated with identified transmission chains, travel history, symptomatic individuals, or contact with animals, suggesting the possibility of previously undetected spread of monkeypox.

EUROSURVEILLANCE (2022)

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Article Immunology

The Impact of Real-Time Whole-Genome Sequencing in Controlling Healthcare-Associated SARS-CoV-2 Outbreaks

Rodric Francis et al.

Summary: Utilizing whole-genome sequencing technology to analyze SARS-CoV-2 clusters in hospital settings helps to identify the origin and transmission pathways of outbreaks, enabling timely intervention measures. Additionally, this technology can also exclude false nosocomial transmission events, saving healthcare resources.

JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2022)

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News Item Medicine, General & Internal

Monkeypox: Healthcare workers will be offered smallpox vaccine as UK buys 20 000 doses

Elisabeth Mahase

BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL (2022)

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Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Poxviruses Bearing DNA Polymerase Mutations Show Complex Patterns of Cross-Resistance

Graciela Andrei et al.

Summary: Despite the eradication of smallpox, poxviruses still pose a threat to humans and animals. This study characterizes the phenotypic and genotypic features of drug-resistant poxvirus DNA polymerase mutants and identifies amino acid changes associated with drug resistance. The study also highlights the importance of specific residues and identifies several novel mutations associated with different drug-susceptibility patterns.

BIOMEDICINES (2022)

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Article Economics

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on business expectations

Brent H. Meyer et al.

Summary: We document and evaluate how businesses are reacting to the COVID-19 crisis through August 2020. We find that firms perceive the crisis primarily as a demand shock and report more disruptions to sales activity than to supply chains. Despite supply chain disruptions, firms expect to lower near-term selling prices. Firms have also implemented wage cuts and anticipate further reductions. Firms' inflation expectations have decreased, while household measures have increased. However, longer-run inflation expectations remain relatively stable.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FORECASTING (2022)

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Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Phylogenomic characterization and signs of microevolution in the 2022 multi-country outbreak of monkeypox virus

Joana Isidro et al.

Summary: In this study, shotgun metagenomics were used to rapidly reconstruct and characterize the genome sequences of the largest monkeypox virus outbreak in non-endemic countries so far. The findings indicate that the outbreak most likely has a single origin and that the virus belongs to clade 3. Furthermore, the study suggests the involvement of host APOBEC3 in viral evolution and reveals signs of ongoing microevolution in the virus.

NATURE MEDICINE (2022)

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Article Immunology