BIOMARKERS OF SEVERE MPOX: HEMATOLOGY-DRIVEN PROGNOSTIC PANEL- A PERSPECTIVE

Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu; Okwudili B. Nwankwo

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v11i4.1638

Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu Division of Haematology, Department of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, Africa University, Zimbabwe.
Okwudili B. Nwankwo Department of Haematology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

10.22270/ujpr.v11i4.1638

Keywords:

biomarkers, hematology, Mpox, prognosis, severity prediction

Abstract

The 2022–2024 multi-country Mpox outbreaks have highlighted the urgent need for early, accessible prognostic tools to identify patients at risk of severe disease. Hematologic biomarkers offer a practical, low-cost approach for risk stratification, particularly in resource-limited settings. This perspective explores the potential of integrating common hematological parameters into a prognostic panel for severe Mpox, highlighting current evidence, limitations, and future research directions. The paper summarized the pathophysiological rationale for key hematologic markers including lymphopenia, neutrophilia, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, thrombocytopenia, hemoglobin decline, and inflammatory indices as indicators of disease severity. Provisional thresholds for these biomarkers, currently extrapolated from analogous viral infections, are proposed to guide future validation studies. A structured severity framework is introduced to standardize clinical assessment and facilitate early risk stratification. Research gaps are discussed, including the need for Mpox-specific data, evaluation in immunocompromised populations, multicenter validation, and integration with therapeutic monitoring. Hematology-driven prognostic panels represent a promising approach for early identification of patients at risk of severe Mpox. By providing a practical, scalable tool, such panels could improve clinical management, guide treatment prioritization, and inform public health strategies. Future studies are essential to validate and refine these biomarkers for clinical implementation.

Peer Review History:

Received 3 June 2026; Reviewed 11 July 2026; Accepted 8 August; Available online 15 September 2026

Academic Editor: Dr. DANIYAN Oluwatoyin Michael, Obafemi Awolowo University, ILE-IFE, Nigeria, [email protected]

Reviewers:

Dr. Sameh Abdelmoneem Mohammed Ali, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Egypt, [email protected]

Dr. Salfarina Ramli, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. [email protected]