Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of monkeypox cases in people living with HIV: observational analysis.

Abstract

Background. Monkeypox (mpox) is a zoonosis that has spread rapidly and globally since mid-2022 and has mainly affected men who have sex with men (MSM). Aim: To characterize mpox clinically and epidemiologically in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Method: A clinical and epidemiological analysis was carried out on PLHIV who consulted for suspected mpox in the Infectious Disease clinic of the San Borja Arriarán Clinical Hospital. Cases confirmed by PCR are reported between 07/11/2022 and 10/21/2022. Results: Mpox was confirmed in 35 patients, all MSM and on antiretroviral therapy. The median age was 37 years. The average number of days between the initial non-specific systemic and eruptive phase was 1.7. The lesions were maculopapular, crusted, and umbilicated, mainly in the genital, perianal, back, and extremity areas. Thirteen patients presented complications and two required hospitalizations. Of those with a requested VDRL test, 46.4% were reactive in non-residual titers. Conclusions: Arrival of mpox was detected at the HIV care center in MSM at all levels of immune status. Mostly, the cases were mild to moderate and self-limiting. The clinical picture has been similar to that described globally.