Animal Models Used in Monkeypox Research

Monkeypox is an emerging zoonotic disease with a growing prevalence outside of its endemic area, posing a significant threat to public health. Despite the epidemiological and field investigations of monkeypox, little is known about its maintenance in natural reservoirs, biological implications or disease management. African rodents are considered possible reservoirs, although many mammalian species have been naturally infected with the monkeypox virus (MPXV). The involvement of domestic livestock and pets in spillover events cannot be ruled out, which may facilitate secondary virus transmission to humans. Investigation of MPXV infection in putative reservoir species and non-human primates experimentally uncovered novel findings relevant to the course of pathogenesis, virulence factors and transmission of MPXV that provided valuable information for designing appropriate prevention measures and effective vaccines.

Automated summary

Monkeypox is an emerging zoonotic disease that poses a significant threat to public health. Despite limited knowledge about its natural reservoirs and disease management, experimental investigations have provided valuable information on pathogenesis, virulence factors, and transmission of the virus, aiding in the development of prevention measures and effective vaccines.