Exploring Taiwan Monkeypox Virus (MPOX/MPXV) Clade IIb by Establishing Dataset and Clustering by using Sequence and Image Similarity Comparisons

Based on the MPXV Clade IIb cases in Taiwan, 175 segments were identified from OPG001 to OPG210. The first focus of this paper is on sequence analysis of the MPXV cases in Taiwan, detailing the procedures, including semi-automated segmentation and dataset creation from a large number of MPXV Clade IIb nucleotide sequences found in the NCBI and GISAID databases. The second feature highlights the pioneering establishment of an MPXV Clade IIb RNA 2nd structure image dataset in Taiwan, as such a dataset does not yet exist globally. The third characteristic involves the use of unsupervised learning methods for the rapid clustering of MPXV Clade IIb RNA 2nd structure images. This approach allows not only for the quick detection and clustering of unknown MPXV Clade IIb cases but also for the rapid identification of new MPXV mutations and structural changes. Compared to traditional sequence analysis, this new hybrid systematic method significantly enhances overall efficiency, improving processing speed by at least 24 hours when handling the alignment of 10 MPXV sequences from Taiwan. Future plans include using this prototype analytical model and method to accelerate the analysis of critical lethal factors in MPXV Clade IIb, such as D14L, ultimately helping biologists reduce the time required for analysis and antiviral drug development.