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Monkeypox may be managed with smallpox vaccines and antivirals

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Abstract

The spread of monkeypox disease (MPX) caused by the zoonotic monkeypox orthopoxvirus (OPXV) has spurred the development of treatment guidelines including pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis with stockpiled vaccines against OPXVs, particularly smallpox vaccines. Pre-exposure prophylaxis is recommended for occupationally exposed and high-risk populations, including those with HIV. Active therapies based on preclinical models include antivirals, such as tecovirimat, brincidofovir and cidofovir; vaccinia immune globulin may also be considered.

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The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding.

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  1. Springer Nature, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754, New Zealand

    Caroline Fenton & Arnold Lee

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  1. Caroline Fenton
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  2. Arnold Lee
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Correspondence to Arnold Lee.

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C. Fenton a contracted writer for Adis International Ltd/Springer Nature, and A. Lee, a salaried employee of Adis International Ltd/Springer Nature, declare no relevant conflicts of interest. All authors contributed to the review and are responsible for the article content.

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Fenton, C., Lee, A. Monkeypox may be managed with smallpox vaccines and antivirals. Drugs Ther Perspect 39, 8–12 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-022-00968-w

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