Newswise — Throughout the previous year's mpox epidemic, the virus disseminated beyond Africa for the initial instance, resulting in more than 85,000 recorded instances of the ailment until now. The majority of infections can be attributed to men engaging in sexual relations with other men, exhibiting a notable inclination towards the younger population.
The mpox-causing virus belongs to the category of orthopoxviruses and bears a striking resemblance to the virus responsible for smallpox, which remained prevalent until its eradication in the mid-1970s.
Given the available data suggesting the effectiveness of the previous smallpox vaccine in providing protection against mpox, scientists at Karolinska Institutet began contemplating whether individuals who received the vaccine many years ago for smallpox might still possess some level of immunity against mpox due to a residual memory response.
-"The findings from our study demonstrate that this holds true, indicating that the memory cells exhibit remarkable longevity and possess the ability to identify closely related viruses like the mpox virus. They can offer overlapping immunity or cross-reactive protection," stated Marcus Buggert, the corresponding author of the study and a docent and researcher at the Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet.
Through the examination of the T-cell immune response in 105 healthy blood donors, the researchers discovered that individuals born prior to 1976 displayed a notably robust immune response against both viral types. Furthermore, the researchers evaluated the immune response in 22 men who recently contracted mpox and found that they also demonstrated a vigorous immune response to the virus. This suggests the potential for future immunity among those individuals.
Although the current study had limited sample size, it was insufficient to determine the extent of protection conferred by prior smallpox vaccination. However, Dr. Buggert alludes to a recently published British observational study that investigated the impact of a smallpox vaccine administered to males at risk in 2022. This study may shed further light on the subject.
Dr. Buggert remarks, "According to this study, the smallpox vaccine has demonstrated the potential to offer approximately 80 percent protection against mpox."
The study received financial support from various organizations, including the Swedish Research Council, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the ERC (European Research Council), Karolinska Institutet, the Swedish Society for Medical Research (SSMF), the Swedish Cancer Society, the Åke Wiberg Foundation, the Magnus Bergvall Foundation, and the Jonas Söderquist Foundation.
It is noted that Marcus Buggert serves as a consultant for Oxford Immunotec, Mabtech, BMS (Bristol-Myers Squibb), and MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme).
Facts about mpox:
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral infection primarily transmitted through close physical contact with an infected individual. Engaging in physical sexual contact poses a heightened risk of transmission. The infection is characterized by symptoms such as blistering, sores, and rashes, accompanied by fever and swollen glands. While it can cause pain and discomfort, mpox typically resolves spontaneously within a span of two to four weeks.
In Sweden, the smallpox vaccination program was initiated in the early 19th century and remained in operation until 1976 when the disease was eradicated. During this time, the smallpox vaccine was compulsory for the entire population, meaning that it was required for all individuals to receive the vaccine. The successful eradication of smallpox led to the discontinuation of the vaccination program in Sweden.
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