When the World Health Organization declared Mpox a global health emergency in 2022, it triggered not just a public health response, but a scientific race of unprecedented scale.
Almost overnight, a once-overlooked virus became the focus of intense international research. But how does an entire scientific field explode into existence? The answer lies in scientometrics—the science of science itself. By mapping the vast landscape of Mpox research, we can trace the fascinating story of how global science mobilizes to combat an emerging threat, revealing a dramatic explosion in knowledge that grew by an astonishing 91.49% annually from 2019 to 2024 5 .
This article delves into the Mpox research boom, exploring the key discoveries, the pivotal experiments, and the global collaboration that has reshaped our understanding of this infectious disease in record time.
Annual growth in Mpox research
Authors contributing to research
Documents published
Scientific sources
For decades, Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) was a pathogen of limited interest, endemic only in parts of Central and West Africa. The virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, was first identified in monkeys in 1958, with the first human case recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1970 2 8 .
Historically, its transmission was primarily zoonotic, jumping from animals like rodents to humans through contact. However, 2022 marked a dramatic shift. A new outbreak revealed sustained human-to-human transmission spreading across the globe, disproportionately affecting men who have sex with men (MSM) and presenting with unusual clinical signs, such as rashes concentrated in the genital and anal regions 7 9 .
Scientometrics is the quantitative study of scientific research. It involves analyzing:
The explosion of Mpox research was not random; it followed a clear path dictated by the needs of the outbreak. Initial studies focused on epidemiology and clinical characterization, documenting the virus's atypical presentation and novel transmission routes. As the outbreak evolved, so did the research, branching into genomics, virology, and vaccine effectiveness.
A pivotal 2022 quantitative evidence synthesis, which analyzed data from 3,097 patients across 14 studies, provided the first clear picture of the outbreak's unique profile 7 . It confirmed that an overwhelming 98.7% of cases were among men who have sex with men, and that the disease presentation was distinct from historical patterns, with a high prevalence of lesions in the genital (56.2%) and anal/perianal (45.4%) areas 7 . This study was crucial for redefining the clinical approach to Mpox and targeting public health messaging.
| Characteristic | Prevalence (%) | Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Demographics | ||
| ▸ Male patients | 99.9% | Overwhelmingly male-dominated outbreak 7 |
| ▸ Men who have sex with men (MSM) | 98.7% | Highlighted a specific transmission network 7 |
| ▸ HIV co-infection | 37.9% | Identified a key patient group for severe disease risk 7 |
| Common Symptoms | ||
| ▸ Fever | 63.5% | Common systemic symptom 7 |
| ▸ Inguinal lymphadenopathy | 55.4% | Swollen lymph nodes, a key differentiating symptom 7 |
| ▸ Asthenia (weakness) | 47.4% | Frequent general symptom 7 |
| Lesion Locations | ||
| ▸ Genital | 56.2% | Atypical, rash concentration 7 |
| ▸ Anal/perianal | 45.4% | Atypical, rash concentration 7 |
| ▸ Arms/Legs | 44.7% | More traditional rash location 7 |
At the heart of the fight against any virus is the ability to detect it quickly and accurately. During the Mpox outbreak, one of the most critical tools developed was the High-Throughput PCR Kit for detecting Mpox virus DNA . This experiment and its resulting product exemplify how scientists adapted existing technology to meet a new crisis.
The goal of this key experiment was to create a reliable, fast, and efficient test to identify Mpox in patient samples. The procedure, as commercialized in kits like the RayBiotech Monkeypox Virus 1-Step High Throughput PCR Kit, follows these streamlined steps :
The development of this high-throughput PCR kit had immediate and profound importance. Its high specificity meant no cross-reactivity with other orthopoxviruses, preventing false positives. Its high sensitivity allowed it to detect very low levels of the virus—as few as 4 copies per microliter—enabling diagnosis early in infection . Most importantly, the elimination of the DNA extraction step and the high-throughput design meant that labs could process 96 samples at once, dramatically speeding up testing and allowing public health systems to track and contain the outbreak more effectively .
| Parameter | Specification | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | 4 copies/µL | Can detect very low viral loads for early diagnosis |
| Specificity | No cross-reactivity with Cowpox, Camelpox, or Vaccinia virus | Ensures accurate diagnosis, avoiding false positives |
| Throughput | 96 tests per run | Allows a large number of samples to be processed simultaneously |
| Key Innovation | 1-Step Nucleic Acid Stabilization Buffer | Removes need for DNA extraction, speeding up the process |
Beyond the PCR kit, a whole ecosystem of reagents and tools has been crucial for advancing Mpox research. The table below details some of the key materials that have powered everything from basic virology to vaccine development.
| Research Reagent / Tool | Function in Mpox Research |
|---|---|
| JYNNEOS/Imvanex/Imvamune Vaccine | The primary vaccine used for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis; a non-replicating viral vector that has been a cornerstone of outbreak control 3 . |
| Tecovirimat (TPOXX) | The leading antiviral therapeutic used to treat Mpox infections; inhibits viral replication 3 6 . |
| Primers and Probes for MPXV/RNase P | Essential components in PCR tests to amplify and detect the viral DNA (J2R gene) and control for sample quality . |
| 1-Step Nucleic Acid Stabilization Buffer | A reagent that inactivates virus and stabilizes genetic material from swabs, streamlining the diagnostic workflow . |
| Synthetic MPXV Genomic DNA | Used as a positive control in experiments to validate PCR tests and ensure their accuracy and reliability . |
| Vaccinia Immune Globulin (VIG) | Used as an immunotherapeutic, sometimes in combination with antivirals, for severe or complicated cases 3 . |
As of 2025, the world faces a major, ongoing epidemic in Africa driven by a new variant known as clade 1b 3 . This new variant, carrying APOBEC3 mutations, is suspected to be more transmissible and is spreading beyond traditional risk groups to affect children, rural communities, and healthcare workers 1 3 .
The Mpox story is far from over. As of 2025, the world faces two different realities: a fragile calm in most non-endemic countries thanks to vaccination and public health measures, and a major, ongoing epidemic in Africa driven by a new variant known as clade 1b 3 .
Mpox virus first identified in monkeys 2
First human case recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo 8
Global outbreak with sustained human-to-human transmission; WHO declares global health emergency
Massive research response with 91.49% annual growth in publications 5
The rapid growth of Mpox research, as mapped by scientometrics, has given humanity a fighting chance. It has highlighted the need for equitable vaccine access, strengthened surveillance, and a "One Health" approach that links human, animal, and environmental health. The Mpox research boom is a powerful case study in scientific resilience—a demonstration that when faced with a new threat, the global scientific community can unite, adapt, and generate the knowledge needed to push back. The window to act is now, and the knowledge mapped by researchers worldwide lights the way 3 .