Loading...
Publication
Prevenção e tratamento da Monkeypox
| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 MB | Adobe PDF |
Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
A Monkeypox (Mpox), ou varíola dos macacos, é uma doença zoonótica, endémica da
África central e ocidental. O primeiro caso de infeção em humanos foi detetado na década de
70, seguindo-se de múltiplos casos ao longo das décadas seguintes, principalmente na zona
de floresta tropical africana endémica e ocasionalmente fora desta, por importação. Em maio
de 2022, um elevado número de casos foi registado em diversos países ao redor do globo,
acabando por se disseminar, constituindo o maior surto global de Mpox até à data.
Este vírus pertence à mesma família do vírus da varíola, apresentando sintomatologia
semelhante, provocando um exantema que se estende por todo o corpo, acompanhado de
febre e linfadenopatia. A evidência científica atual aponta para que, contrariamente ao nome,
não sejam os primatas o reservatório natural da doença, mas sim os roedores. A transmissão
do vírus para humanos pode ser feita via animal-humano ou humano-humano, quer por
contacto próximo, fluídos corporais ou objetos contaminados.
O surto atual que perdura desde 2022 afetou principalmente as regiões das Américas
e Europeia. O grupo de maior risco de exposição são homens que têm sexo com homens,
constituindo a maioria dos casos reportados, sendo por isso importante o foco no combate à
destigmatização e desinformação, permitindo uma resposta mais eficaz.
As estratégias de prevenção delineadas para um surto como este devem ter como
meta a interrupção da transmissão humano-humano, a minimização da transmissão zoonótica
e a proteção dos grupos de risco. Para isso, devem ser implementadas estratégias assentes
na cooperação internacional, vigilância epidemiológica, testagem e diagnóstico, medidas
preventivas pessoais e vacinação. Existem 3 principais vacinas para a prevenção de Mpox
usadas ao redor do mundo, sendo apenas uma delas autorizada pela Agência Europeia do
Medicamento (EMA). A terapêutica baseia-se no controlo da sintomatologia associada a
tratamento antiviral, quando necessário. Atualmente o tecovirimat é o único medicamento
aprovado pela EMA para tratamento de Mpox. Contudo, as vacinas e medicamentos utilizados
no combate à doença não são específicos, pelo que são necessários estudos que permitam
caracterizar mais extensivamente o vírus e a eficácia e segurança das estratégias empregues
na prevenção e tratamento, bem como o desenvolvimento de estratégias com maior
especificidade.
Monkeypox, or Mpox, is a zoonotic disease, endemic to central and western Africa. The first case of infection in humans was detected in the 1970s, followed by multiple cases over the following decades, mainly in the endemic African rainforest zone and occasionally outside it, due to importation. In May 2022, a high number of cases were registered in several countries around the globe, eventually spreading, constituting the largest global outbreak of Mpox to date. This virus belongs to the same family as the smallpox virus, presenting similar symptoms, causing a rash that extends throughout the body, accompanied by fever and lymphadenopathy. Current scientific evidence points to the fact that, contrary to the name, the natural reservoir of the disease is not primates, but rodents. Transmission of the virus to humans can be via animal-to-human or human-to-human, either by close contact, body fluids or contaminated objects. The current outbreak that has lasted since 2022 has mainly affected the Americas and Europe regions. The group most at risk of exposure are men who have sex with men, constituting most reported cases, which is why it is important to focus on combating destigmatization and misinformation, allowing for a more effective response. Prevention strategies designed for an outbreak like this should aim to interrupt human to-human transmission, minimize zoonotic transmission, and protect risk groups. For this, strategies based on international cooperation, epidemiological surveillance, testing and diagnosis, personal preventive measures and vaccination must be implemented. There are 3 main Mpox prevention vaccines used around the world, only one of which is authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Therapy is based on symptom control associated with antiviral treatment, when necessary. Currently, tecovirimat is the only drug approved by the EMA for the treatment of Mpox. However, the vaccines and medicines used to combat the disease are not specific, which is why studies are needed to more extensively characterize the virus and the effectiveness and safety of the strategies used for prevention and treatment, as well as the development of strategies with greater specificity.
Monkeypox, or Mpox, is a zoonotic disease, endemic to central and western Africa. The first case of infection in humans was detected in the 1970s, followed by multiple cases over the following decades, mainly in the endemic African rainforest zone and occasionally outside it, due to importation. In May 2022, a high number of cases were registered in several countries around the globe, eventually spreading, constituting the largest global outbreak of Mpox to date. This virus belongs to the same family as the smallpox virus, presenting similar symptoms, causing a rash that extends throughout the body, accompanied by fever and lymphadenopathy. Current scientific evidence points to the fact that, contrary to the name, the natural reservoir of the disease is not primates, but rodents. Transmission of the virus to humans can be via animal-to-human or human-to-human, either by close contact, body fluids or contaminated objects. The current outbreak that has lasted since 2022 has mainly affected the Americas and Europe regions. The group most at risk of exposure are men who have sex with men, constituting most reported cases, which is why it is important to focus on combating destigmatization and misinformation, allowing for a more effective response. Prevention strategies designed for an outbreak like this should aim to interrupt human to-human transmission, minimize zoonotic transmission, and protect risk groups. For this, strategies based on international cooperation, epidemiological surveillance, testing and diagnosis, personal preventive measures and vaccination must be implemented. There are 3 main Mpox prevention vaccines used around the world, only one of which is authorized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Therapy is based on symptom control associated with antiviral treatment, when necessary. Currently, tecovirimat is the only drug approved by the EMA for the treatment of Mpox. However, the vaccines and medicines used to combat the disease are not specific, which is why studies are needed to more extensively characterize the virus and the effectiveness and safety of the strategies used for prevention and treatment, as well as the development of strategies with greater specificity.
Description
Trabalho Final de Mestrado Integrado, Ciências Farmacêuticas, 2023, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia.
Keywords
Monkeypox Surto Prevenção Vacinação Tratamento Mestrado Integrado - 2023