Epidemiologic characteristics and clinical features of patients with monkeypox virus infection from a hospital in Peru between July and September 2022.

OBJECTIVES

Monkeypox (Mpox) recent outbreak has changed in terms of predominant transmission route and typical presentation. Describing current epidemiological and clinical characteristics is crucial to identifying cases and halting transmission.

METHODS

An observational study was conducted at a Peruvian tertiary-level hospital and included all individuals with Mpox virus infection between July 01 and September 03, 2022.

RESULTS

Among 205 confirmed cases, 99% (202/205) were men, 94% (192/205) were men who have sex with men or bisexual, and 66% (136/205) were living with HIV. Regarding sexual behavior, 87% (179/205) had a sexual encounter 21 days before consultation, although only 8% (17/205) identified sexual contact with a Mpox confirmed case; 65% (133/205) had sexual intercourse with casual partners, 55% (112/205) reported a last sexual partner unknown, and 21.5% (44/205) continued having sexual intercourse with symptoms. Systemic symptoms were fever (162/205, 79%), malaise (123/205, 60%), headache (119/205, 58%), fatigue (105/205, 52%), and lymphadenopathy (111/205, 54%). The distribution of skin lesions was generalized (166/205, 81%), located in the anogenital area (160/205, 78%), polymorphic (174/205, 85%), and it was the first symptom identified in 46% (94/205) of cases. Overall, 10% (21/205) required hospitalization, of whom 85.7% (18/205) have HIV infection. Complications included bacterial superinfection (n = 18), proctitis (n = 6), balanitis (n = 4), and necrosis of skin lesions (n = 3).

CONCLUSION

In 2022, Mpox mainly affects men who have sex with men and People living with HIV/AIDS. It presents with skin lesions localized to the anogenital area and can lead to severe complications requiring hospitalization.