Cross-reactive antibodies against monkeypox virus exist in the population immunized with vaccinia Tian Tan strain in China

Infect Genet Evol. 2023 Sep:113:105477. doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105477. Epub 2023 Jun 29.

Abstract

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. The worldwide outbreak of MPXV in 2022 has caused widespread concerns. Cross-reactive antibodies induced by vaccinia-inoculation can provide protection against reinfection by MPXV. The vaccinia Tian Tan (VTT) strain, which was widely inoculated in the Chinese population before the 1980s, has genomic differences from other vaccinia strains, although they all belong to the orthopoxviruses family. The current seroprevalence of VTT-vaccinated populations remains unclear more than four decades after the termination of vaccination campaigns in China. Our results showed that cross-reactive IgG antibodies against MPXV were present in 31.8% (75/236) of vaccinees four decades after VTT-vaccination, suggesting that vaccination with VTT may provide long-term protection against MPXV infection in some individuals.

Keywords: Cross-reactive antibodies; Monkeypox virus; Seroprevalence; Vaccinia Tian Tan strain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies
  • Humans
  • Monkeypox virus* / genetics
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Vaccinia virus / genetics
  • Vaccinia* / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies