In early 2022, a cluster of monkeypox virus (MPXV)
infection (
mpox) cases were identified within the UK with no prior travel history to MPXV-endemic regions. Subsequently, case numbers exceeding 80,000 were reported worldwide, primarily affecting gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). Public health agencies worldwide have offered the
IMVANEX Smallpox vaccination to these individuals at high-risk to provide protection and limit the spread of MPXV. We have developed a comprehensive array of ELISAs to study poxvirus-induced
antibodies, utilising 24 MPXV and 3 Vaccinia virus (VACV) recombinant
antigens. Panels of serum samples from individuals with differing
Smallpox-vaccine doses and those with prior MPXV
infection were tested on these assays, where we observed that one dose of
Smallpox vaccination induces a low number of
antibodies to a limited number of MPXV
antigens but increasing with further vaccination doses. MPXV
infection induced similar antibody responses to diverse poxvirus
antigens observed in
Smallpox-vaccinated individuals. We identify MPXV A27 as a serological marker of MPXV-
infection, whilst MPXV M1 (VACV L1) is likely
IMVANEX-specific. Here, we demonstrate analogous humoral
antigen recognition between both MPXV-infected or
Smallpox-vaccinated individuals, with binding to diverse yet core set of poxvirus
antigens, providing opportunities for future
vaccine (e.g.,
mRNA) and therapeutic (e.g., mAbs) design.