Monkeypox pathogen mutates faster than thought – Science

by time news

Researchers report that the mutation rate of the virus is “surprisingly high”. Compared to viruses from 2019, there are 50 differences in the genome.

The causative agent of the current outbreak of monkeypox has mutated surprisingly severely. Compared to viruses from 2018 and 2019, there are around 50 differences in the genome, writes a team from Portugal in “Nature Medicine”. This is far more than would have been expected based on previous estimates: roughly six to twelve times more. The divergent branch could be a sign of accelerated evolution. The work is mainly based on analyzes of Portuguese cases.

So far, experts had spoken of a generally rather slow development – especially compared to the very numerous mutations of Sars-CoV-2. The authors of the study suspect one or more imports from a country in which the virus is permanently present behind the current outbreak. Superspreader events and international travel then seemed to have promoted further spread. “Our data provide additional evidence of ongoing viral evolution and possible adaptation to humans,” writes the team led by João Paulo Gomes from the National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA) in Lisbon.

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High mutation rate, but “probably no dramatic effects”

The expert on the evolution of viruses, Richard Neher (Basel), explained that the mutation rate was “indeed surprisingly high”. The mutations would have a very specific pattern. The authors assume that enzymes of the human immune system are responsible for these changes in the genome.

“We are also seeing this accelerated mutation within the current outbreak. The rate is roughly one mutation per genome per month – with some uncertainty,” Neher said. When asked whether the mutations made the current spread possible in the first place, the scientist explained that, to his knowledge, there were no indications of this, but it could not be ruled out. Most of the mutations would “probably have no dramatic effects”.

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5,000 cases worldwide

Around 5,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported in humans worldwide this year. In more than 40 countries outside of Africa, where the disease was virtually unknown until May, there were 3,308 cases, according to data from the US health authority CDC as of Wednesday. There are currently 20 cases in Austria.

Monkey pox – already 20 cases in Austria

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