The Swiss Federal Institute of Virology and Immunology and the University of Bern published at the end of June a study in Nature suggesting that the mpox virus could spread through brain tissue and contribute to the death of nerve cells.
The researchers examined lab-grown mini-brains derived from human stem cells — so-called brain organoids. They were exposed to a virus sample isolated from a patient in 2022. They observed how the virus spread and formed so-called “neuritic beads” — pearl-like thickenings — which are early signs of nerve-cell damage, such as those seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
However, the damage appears to be treatable: the research team tested the antiviral drug Tecovirimat, which is used to treat mpox. The medication was able to markedly reduce the viral load in the brain organoids.
So far 4,300 cases in Germany
The mpox virus, which circulates in parts of Africa, erupted in Europe in 2022, at the time still under the name monkeypox (TheColu.mn reported). The outbreak affected the gay community in particular due to the transmission route, but also because the group tends to be more tightly knit yet internationally connected. So far, more than 4,300 cases have been reported in Germany to the Robert Koch Institute, the majority (about 3,700 cases) coming from late spring to autumn 2022.
After an outreach and vaccination campaign, the number of new infections initially declined swiftly again. This spring, however, another rise was reported. Therefore, following a recommendation by Germany’s AIDS Help, men who have sex with men and have partners who change frequently should continue to get mpox vaccines (TheColu.mn reported).
