Molecular detection of intestinal parasites in a rural community of Colombia: A one health approach to explore potential environmental-zoonotic transmission.

AIMS: Protozoan and helminth parasitic infections pose significant public health challenges, especially in developing countries with rural populations marked by suboptimal hygiene practices and socio-economic constraints. The parasites are the etiological agents of these infections and have a notably elevated global prevalence. Therefore, this study focuses on estimating the frequency and transmission dynamics of several parasitic species, including Blastocystis, Giardia, Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Taenia spp. and hookworms, within a rural community in southwest Colombia with a particular emphasis on the One Health framework, considering environmental and zoonotic transmission potentials. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study involved the analysis of 125 samples, encompassing human participants (n = 99), their domestic pets (dogs) (n = 24) and water sources (n = 2). Parasite detection was carried out utilizing a combination of microscopy and molecular techniques. Furthermore, the characterization of Blastocystis subtypes (STs) was achieved through Oxford Nanopore sequencing of the rRNA-18S gene. The investigation also entailed the examination of potential associations between intestinal parasitism and various sociodemographic factors. Results revealed a high frequency of parasitic infections when employing molecular methods, with Blastocystis (n = 109/87%), Giardia (n = 20/16%), Ancylostoma duodenale (n = 28/22%), Ancylostoma ceylanicum (n = 7/5.6%), E. histolytica (n = 6/4.8%), Cryptosporidium spp. (n = 12/9.6%) and even Taenia (n = 1/0.8%) detected. Cryptosporidium spp. was also identified in water samples. Coinfections were prevalent, with 57% (n = 70) of samples exhibiting single-parasite infections and 43% (n = 53) showing various degrees of polyparasitism, emphasizing the complexity of transmission dynamics. Blastocystis subtyping, conducted via Oxford Nanopore sequencing, revealed a diversity of subtypes and coexistence patterns, with ST2 being the most prevalent. CONCLUSIONS: This research underscores the importance of using molecular techniques for frequency estimation, particularly emphasizing the relevance of zoonotic transmission in parasitic infections. It highlights the significance of the One Health approach in comprehending the circulation of parasites among animals, humans and environmental sources, thereby directly impacting public health and epidemiological surveillance.

Enhancing Trypanosomatid Identification and Genotyping with Oxford Nanopore Sequencing: Development and Validation of an 18S rRNA Amplicon-Based Method.

Trypanosomatids, including Trypanosoma and Leishmania species, present significant medical and veterinary challenges, causing substantial economic losses, health complications, and even fatalities. Diagnosing and genotyping these species and their genotypes is often complex, involving multiple steps. This study aimed to develop an amplicon-based sequencing (ABS) method using Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing to enhance Trypanosomatid detection and genotyping. The 18S rDNA gene was targeted for its inter-species conservation. The Trypanosomatid-ABS method effectively distinguished between 11 Trypanosoma species (including Trypanosoma evansi, Trypanosoma theileri, Trypanosoma vivax, and Trypanosoma rangeli) and 6 Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units (TcI to TcVI and TcBat), showing strong concordance with conventional methods (κ index of 0.729, P < 0.001). It detected co-infections between Trypanosomatid genera and T. cruzi, with a limit of detection of one parasite per mL. The method was successfully applied to human, animal, and triatomine samples. Notably, TcI predominated in chronic Chagas samples, whereas TcII and TcIV were found in the acute stage. Triatomine vectors exhibited diverse Trypanosomatid infections, with Triatoma dimidiata mainly infected with TcI and occasional TcBat co-infections, and Rhodnius prolixus showing TcI and TcII infections, along with T. rangeli co-infections and mixed TcII infections. Animals were infected with T. vivax, T. theileri, and T. evansi. The ABS method's high resolution, sensitivity, and accuracy make it a valuable tool for understanding Trypanosomatid dynamics, enhancing disease control strategies, and enabling targeted interventions.

Human Lobomycosis Caused by Paracoccidioides (Lacazia) loboi, Panama, 2022.

We report a patient from Panama who had lobomycosis caused by Paracoccidioides (Lacazia) loboi. We used combined clinical-epidemiologic and phylogenetic data, including a new gene sequence dataset on this fungus in Panama, for analysis. Findings contribute useful insights to limited knowledge of this fungal infection in the Mesoamerican Biologic Corridor.

Depression, Anxiety and Stress Associated With Fear of COVID-19 in Peruvian Dental Students: A Multivariate Analysis With 12 Sociodemographic Factors.

Aims and Objectives: Excessive fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in dental students could cause mood disorders, especially if there are factors in the environment that generate feelings of anxiety or uncertainty. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fear of COVID-19 and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress in Peruvian dental students according to their sociodemographic factors. Materials and Methods: This analytical, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted in 398 dental students of a public university in the Peruvian capital during April 2021 to July 2021. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 items was used to diagnose depression, anxiety, and stress. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale was used to detect fear of COVID-19. The Pearson's chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. In addition, a logit model using odds ratio (OR) was performed to evaluate depression, anxiety, and stress of students with the associated factors: fear of COVID-19 and 12 sociodemographic variables (gender, age group, marital status, year of study, origin, companion, living with vulnerable people, history of mental illness, history of COVID-19, loss of close relatives due to COVID-19, occupation, and area of residence). A significance level of P < .05 was considered. In addition, predictive models were developed for the variables depression, anxiety, and stress, considering all possible significant causes. Results: The prevalence of fear of COVID-19, depression, anxiety, and stress was 19.6%, 36.2%, 40.7%, and 19.6%, respectively. According to the adjusted logit model, students who had fear of COVID-19 had OR = 2.74 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.62-4.64), OR = 5.59 (95% CI: 3.14-9.97), and OR = 3.31 (95% CI: 1.88-5.83) for developing depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. In addition, those who reported history of mental illness were four times more likely to develop depression (OR = 4.02, 95% CI: 1.96-8.25) and anxiety (OR = 4.50, 95% CI: 2.06-9.82), whereas those living with people vulnerable to COVID-19 were twice as likely to develop stress (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.16-3.66). Conclusion: The highest prevalence of mood disorders among dental students was anxiety. In addition, those who were afraid of COVID-19 had three times the probability of developing depression and stress, and five times the probability of developing anxiety. On the other hand, the most influential factor in the development of depression and anxiety was history of mental illness, whereas the factor of living with vulnerable people was the most influential factor in the development of stress.

Psychiatric and affective predictors of negative racial attitudes.

Negative Racial Attitudes (NRA) have been identified as major contributors to discrimination and inequalities. Previous studies of predictors of NRA have focused largely on socioeconomic, socialization, social attitudes, and personality characteristics. Yet, the potential links of psychiatric and affective indicators to NRA have received little scientific inquiry. Three-hundred-and-two participants completed measures of explicit, covert, and implicit NRA, along with indices of psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), mood symptoms, affective processing, social attitudes, and personality characteristics. Explicit and covert NRA were significantly correlated with difficulty identifying and describing feelings, use of suppression to regulate emotion, and the PLEs domains of perceptual abnormalities, bizarre experiences, and persecutory ideation, along with social attitudes and personality characteristics. Implicit NRA was not associated with any indicators. Next, employing hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses, the affective and psychiatric indicators accounted 5.2% and 10.4% of the explicit and covert NRA variance, respectively, controlling for previously identified predictors including demographics, social attitudes, and personality characteristics. Our results point to newly identified predictors of NRA including difficulties identifying and describing emotions, use of suppression to regulate emotions, as well as PLEs, specifically perceptual abnormalities. We discuss the implications of the findings to the development and adaptation of anti-racism interventions.

Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 variants during the first two years of the pandemic in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants has led to surges in cases and the need for global genomic surveillance. While some variants rapidly spread worldwide, other variants only persist nationally. There is a need for more fine-scale analysis to understand transmission dynamics at a country scale. For instance, the Mu variant of interest, also known as lineage B.1.621, was first detected in Colombia and was responsible for a large local wave but only a few sporadic cases elsewhere. METHODS: To better understand the epidemiology of SARS-Cov-2 variants in Colombia, we used 14,049 complete SARS-CoV-2 genomes from the 32 states of Colombia. We performed Bayesian phylodynamic analyses to estimate the time of variants' introduction, their respective effective reproductive number, and effective population size, and the impact of disease control measures. RESULTS: Here, we detect a total of 188 SARS-CoV-2 Pango lineages circulating in Colombia since the pandemic's start. We show that the effective reproduction number oscillated drastically throughout the first two years of the pandemic, with Mu showing the highest transmissibility (Re and growth rate estimation). CONCLUSIONS: Our results reinforce that genomic surveillance programs are essential for countries to make evidence-driven interventions toward the emergence and circulation of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Colombia reported its first COVID-19 case on 6th March 2020. By April 2022, the country had reported over 6 million infections and over 135,000 deaths. Here, we aim to understand how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spread through Colombia over this time and how the predominant version of the virus (variant) changed over time. We found that there were multiple introductions of different variants from other countries into Colombia during the first two years of the pandemic. The Gamma variant was dominant earlier in 2021 but was replaced by the Delta variant. The Mu variant had the highest potential to be transmitted. Our findings provide valuable insights into the pandemic in Colombia and highlight the importance of continued surveillance of the virus to guide the public health response.

Geological context and human exposures to element mixtures in mining and agricultural settings in Colombia.

Anthropogenic and natural sources contribute to chemical mixtures in air, water, and soil, posing potential risks to the environment and human health. To understand the interplay between element profiles in the human body, geographical location, and associated economic activities, we carried out an observational analytic cross-sectional study. The study recruited 199 participants from three municipalities, two of which had gold-mining as their primary economic activity, while the other was dedicated to agricultural and other local activities not related to mining. The concentrations of a total of 30 elements in human hair samples and 21 elements in environmental soil samples were measured using various spectrometry techniques. Unsupervised clustering analysis using Self-Organizing Maps was applied to human hair samples to analyze element concentrations. Distinct clusters of individuals were identified based on their hair element profiles, which were mapped to geographical location and economic activities. While higher levels of heavy metals (Ag, As, Hg, and Pb) were observed in individuals engaged in mining activities in certain clusters, individuals in agricultural areas show higher concentrations of elements found in pesticides (Ba and Sr). However, the elemental composition of hair is influenced not only by the anthropogenic activities but also by the inherent geological context where people live. Our findings highlight the significance of accounting for environmental factors when evaluating human health risks, as the intricate mixture of elements can yield valuable insights for targeted health interventions.

Assessment by proxy of the SF-36 and WHO-DAS 2.0. A systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In some cases, for the evaluation of the health status of patients it is not possible to obtain data directly from the patient. The objective of this study was to determine if the instruments that cannot be applied to the patient can be completed by a proxy. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was carried out and 20 studies were included. The instruments reviewed in this synthesis were: Short Form-36 (SF-36), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), WHODAS 2.0, Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Disability Rating Scale (DRS). RESULTS: The levels of agreement between the responses of the patients and the proxies were good, mainly when evaluating HRQoL and functioning with the SF-36 and WHODAS 2.0 instruments, respectively, with a higher level of agreement in the more objective and observable domains such as physical functioning and lower level of agreement in less objective domains, such as emotional or affective status, and self-perception. CONCLUSION: In patients who cannot complete the different instruments, the use of a proxy can help avoid the omission of responses.

Genomic and ultrastructural analysis of monkeypox virus in skin lesions and in human/animal infected cells reveals further morphofunctional insights into viral pathogenicity.

Monkeypox (MPOX) is a zoonotic disease that affects humans and other primates, resulting in a smallpox-like illness. It is caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), which belongs to the Poxviridae family. Clinically manifested by a range of cutaneous and systemic findings, as well as variable disease severity phenotypes based on the genetic makeup of the virus, the cutaneous niche and respiratory mucosa are the epicenters of MPXV pathogenicity. Herein, we describe the ultrastructural features of MPXV infection in both human cultured cells and cutaneous clinical specimens collected during the 2022-2023 MPOX outbreak in New York City that were revealed through electron microscopy. We observed typical enveloped virions with brick-shaped morphologies that contained surface protrusions, consistent with the classic ultrastructural features of MPXV. In addition, we describe morpho-functional evidence that point to roles of distinct cellular organelles in viral assembly during clinical MPXV infection. Interestingly, in skin lesions, we found abundant melanosomes near viral assembly sites, particularly in the vicinity of mature virions, which provides further insight into virus-host interactions at the subcellular level that contribute to MPXV pathogenesis. These findings not only highlight the importance of electron microscopic studies for further investigation of this emerging pathogen but also in characterizing MPXV pathogenesis during human infection.

Phylogenetic landscape of Monkeypox Virus (MPV) during the early outbreak in New York City, 2022.

Monkeypox (MPOX) is a zoonotic disease endemic to regions of Central/Western Africa. The geographic endemicity of MPV has expanded, broadening the human-monkeypox virus interface and its potential for spillover. Since May 2022, a large multi-country MPV outbreak with no proven links to endemic countries has originated in Europe and has rapidly expanded around the globe, setting off genomic surveillance efforts. Here, we conducted a genomic analysis of 23 MPV-infected patients from New York City during the early outbreak, assessing the phylogenetic relationship of these strains against publicly available MPV genomes. Additionally, we compared the genomic sequences of clinical isolates versus culture-passaged samples from a subset of samples. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that MPV genomes included in this study cluster within the B.1 lineage (Clade IIb), with some of the samples displaying further differentiation into five different sub-lineages of B.1. Mutational analysis revealed 55 non-synonymous polymorphisms throughout the genome, with some of these mutations located in critical regions required for viral multiplication, structural and assembly functions, as well as the target region for antiviral treatment. In addition, we identified a large majority of polymorphisms associated with GA > AA and TC > TT nucleotide replacements, suggesting the action of human APOBEC3 enzyme. A comparison between clinical isolates and cell culture-passaged samples failed to reveal any difference. Our results provide a first glance at the mutational landscape of early MPV-2022 (B.1) circulating strains in NYC.

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) genomics: A mutational and phylogenomic analyses of B.1 lineages.

The recent increase in monkeypox (MPX) cases has attracted attention of public health authorities due to its quick spread and transmission across non-endemic regions. This outbreak, unlike previous ones, displays different epidemiological features and transmission dynamics, which appear to be largely influenced by the newly divergent MPX lineages (B.1). Yet, the genomic characteristics driving the high dispersal and diversification of these lineages remain largely unknown. Herein, we sought to explore and characterize the genomic features and phylogenetic diversity of the B.1 lineages through a comparative genomic analysis inclusive of 1900 high quality complete MPXV genomes. Our analyses indicate that the current MPXV-2022 outbreak encompasses thirteen derived lineages with ten unique non-synonymous mutations in several genes linked to immune evasion, virulence factors and host recognition. Such mutations may translate in the rapid evolution and diversification of current MPXV lineages. Moreover, our analyses uncovered signals of genomic modifications suggestive of immune-modulatory enzymatic activity, such as APOBEC3 editing, which, as previously suggested could have favored evolutionary trends leading to the rapid spread of MPXV into non-endemic countries. Genomic surveillance continues to play a major role in unveiling the genomic signatures signaling potential adaptation of this emerging MPXV lineage and how it will continue to impact public health in the near future.

Draft genomes of Blastocystis subtypes from human samples of Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Blastocystis is one of the most common eukaryotic microorganisms colonizing the intestines of both humans and animals, but the conditions under which it may be a pathogen are unclear. METHODS: To study the genomic characteristics of circulating subtypes (ST) in Colombia, we established nine xenic cultures from Blastocystis isolated from human fecal samples, we identified 10 different subtypes, since one sample had a mixed infection. Thus, the genomes of the subtypes ST1 (n = 3), ST2 (n = 1), ST3 (n = 2), ST6 (n = 1), ST7 (n = 1), and ST8 (n = 2) were sequenced using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT). RESULTS: Analyses of these draft nuclear genomes indicated remarkable diversity in terms of genome size and guanine-cytosine (GC) content among the compared STs. Illumina sequencing-only draft genomes contained 824 to 2077 scaffolds, with total genome size ranging from 12 to 13.2 Mb and N50 values ranging from 10,585 to 29,404 base pairs (bp). The genome of one ST1 isolate was sequenced using ONT. This assembly was more contiguous, with a size of 20 million base pairs (Mb) spread over 116 scaffolds, and an N50 of 248,997 bp. CONCLUSION: This work represents one of the few large-scale comparative genomic analyses of Blastocystis isolates, providing an additional glimpse into its genomic diversity.

Chemical Element Mixtures and Kidney Function in Mining and Non-Mining Settings in Northern Colombia.

The exposure to chemical mixtures is a problem of concern in developing countries and it is well known that the kidney is the major target organ for toxic elements. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the individual and composite mixture effect of a large number of chemical elements on kidney function in gold-mining and surrounding non-mining populations in northeast Colombia. We measured concentrations of 36 chemical elements in hair as indicators of chronic exposure from 199 adult participants. We estimated the effect of exposure to mixtures of chemical elements on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using weighted quantile sum regression (WQS). The WQS index of the mixture was associated with reduced eGFR (Coefficient -2.42; 95%CI: -4.69, -0.16) being Be, Cd, Pb, As, and Mn, the principal contributors of the toxic mixture. Mining activities and Hg concentration were not associated with decreased kidney function. Our results suggest that complex mixtures of chemical elements, mainly heavy metals, act as nephrotoxic in these populations and therefore the analysis of chemical element mixtures is a better approach to identify environmental and occupational chemical risks for kidney damage.

Evaluation and validation of an RT-PCR assay for specific detection of monkeypox virus (MPXV).

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a zoonotic orthopoxvirus within the Poxviridae family. MPXV is endemic to Central and West Africa. However, the world is currently witnessing an international outbreak with no clear epidemiological links to travel or animal exposure and with ever-increasing numbers of reported cases worldwide. Here, we evaluated and validated a new, sensitive, and specific real-time PCR-assay for MPXV diagnosis in humans and compare the performance of this novel assay against a Food & Drug Administration-cleared pan-Orthopox RT-PCR assay. We determined specificity, sensitivity, and analytic performance of the PKamp™ Monkeypox Virus RT-PCR assay targeting the viral F3L-gene. In addition, we further evaluated MPXV-PCR-positive specimens by viral culture, electron microscopy, and viral inactivation assays. The limit of detection was established at 7.2 genome copies/reaction, and MPXV was successfully identified in 20 clinical specimens with 100% correlation against the reference method with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Our results demonstrated the validity of this rapid, robust, and reliable RT-PCR assay for specific and accurate diagnosis of MPXV infection in human specimens collected both as dry swabs and in viral transport media. This assay has been approved by NYS Department of Health for clinical use.

An overview of the trypanosomatid (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites infecting several mammal species in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Trypanosomatids are among the most critical parasites for public health due to their impact on human, animal, and plant health. Diseases associated with these pathogens manifest mainly in poor and vulnerable populations, where social, environmental, and biological factors modulate the case incidence and geographical distribution. METHODS: We used Sanger and amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) in samples from different mammals to identify trypanosomatid infections in several departments in Colombia. A total of 174 DNA samples (18 humans, 83 dogs, and 73 wild mammals) were analyzed by conventional PCR using a fragment of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) gene and Sanger sequenced the positive samples. Twenty-seven samples were sent for amplicon-based NGS using the same gene fragment. Data obtained were used to perform diversity analyses. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen samples were positive for PCR by Hsp70 fragment; these corresponded to 22.1% Leishmania spp., 18.6% L. amazonensis, 9.7% L. braziliensis, 14.2% L. infantum, 8% L. panamensis, and 27.4% Trypanosoma cruzi. Comparison of the identified species by the two sequencing technologies used resulted in 97% concordance. Alpha and beta diversity indices were significant, mainly for dogs; there was an interesting index of coinfection events in the analyzed samples: different Leishmania species and the simultaneous presence of T. cruzi and even T. rangeli in one of the samples analyzed. Moreover, a low presence of L. braziliensis was observed in samples from wild mammals. Interestingly, to our knowledge, this is the first report of Leishmania detection in Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris (capybara) in Colombia. CONCLUSIONS: The Hsp70 fragment used in this study is an optimal molecular marker for trypanosomatid identification in many hosts and allows the identification of different species in the same sample when amplicon-based sequencing is used. However, the use of this fragment for molecular diagnosis through conventional PCR should be carefully interpreted because of this same capacity to identify several parasites. This point is of pivotal importance in highly endemic countries across South America because of the co-circulation of different genera from the Trypanosomatidae family. The findings show an interesting starting point for One Health approaches in which coevolution and vector-host interactions can be studied.

Eco-Friendly Reduction of Graphene Oxide by Aqueous Extracts for Photocatalysis Applications.

In the present work, reduced graphene oxide was obtained by green synthesis, using extracts of Larrea tridentata (gobernadora) and Capsicum Chinense (habanero). Graphene oxide was synthesized by the modified Hummers' method and subsequently reduced using natural extracts to obtain a stable and environmentally friendly graphene precursor. Consequently, the gobernadora aqueous extract was found to have a better reducing power than the habanero aqueous extract. This opportunity for green synthesis allows the application of RGO in photocatalysis for the degradation of the methylene blue dye. Degradation efficiencies of 60% and 90% were obtained with these materials.

Inflammation and emotion regulation: Findings from the MIDUS II study.

Emotion regulation (ER) strategies are thought to contribute to mental as well as physical health outcomes. Two common ER strategies include expressive suppression, or inhibition of emotional expression, and cognitive reappraisal, which involves changing how to think about an emotion-eliciting event in order to change its emotional impact. Recent reports have hypothesized that one potential way in which ER may be linked to health outcomes is via the immune system. However, information on this putative link is scarce. The present study aims to explore whether peripheral inflammatory biomarkers are associated with individual differences in ER-strategy use. Participants (n = 117) from the Midlife in the United States II (MIDUS II) study completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and provided a blood sample for immune biomarker extraction including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), E-selectin, Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and fibrinogen. Results showed higher levels of expressive suppression were associated with decreased IL-10, TNF-α, and ICAM-1 levels (controlling for age, sex, BMI, total prescribed medications, and depressive symptoms). Consistent with these findings, hierarchical regression results identified TNF-α as a significant predictor of expressive suppression use. In contrast, no inflammatory markers were associated with predicted use of cognitive reappraisal. Our findings suggest a link between inflammation and specific ER-strategy use. Future research should consider the effects of pro-vs. anti-inflammatory cytokines on adaptive ER and subsequent mental and physical health.

Phylogenomic analysis of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) 2022 outbreak: Emergence of a novel viral lineage?

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease with clinical manifestations similar to smallpox in humans. Since May 13, 2022, an increasing number of suspected and confirmed cases have been reported, affecting non-endemic regions across the globe. More strikingly, reports from the current outbreak reveal unique aspects regarding transmission dynamics and an unprecedented, rapidly expanding and sustained community transmission. As demonstrated through the still-ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, genomic surveillance has been an essential resource for monitoring and tracking the evolution of pathogens of public health relevance. Herein, we performed a phylogenomic analysis of available Monkeypox virus (MPXV) genomes to determine their evolution and diversity. Our analysis revealed that all MPXV genomes grouped into three monophyletic clades: two previously characterized clades and a newly emerging clade harboring genomes from the ongoing 2022 multi-country outbreak with 286 genomes comprising the hMPXV-1A clade and the newly classified lineages: A.1 (n = 6), A.1.1 (n = 1), A.2 (n = 3) and B.1 (n = 262), where lineage B.1 includes all MPXV genomes from the 2022 outbreak. Finally, it was estimated that B.1 lineage of this clade emerged in Europe on 03/02/2022 [95%CI = 11/13/2021 to 05/10/2022]. The exceptional surge of cases and the broader geographical expansion suggest multifactorial factors as drivers of the current outbreak dynamics. Such factors may include the cessation of smallpox vaccination and its potential spread across particular networks. Integrating pertinent epidemiological information with genomic surveillance information will help generate real-time data to help implement adequate preventive and control measures by optimizing public health decisions to mitigate this outbreak.