Sydney/New Delhi: Sexual intimacy has been found to be the most likely cause of transmission in 95 percent of cases of monkeypox, a global case study series from 16 countries has revealed. However, the virus can be transmitted through large respiratory droplets and potentially through any close physical contact through clothing and other surfaces, said researchers at Queen Mary University of London.Also Read – Simultaneously infected with monkeypox and coronavirus, US man claims. Read the details
The study included 528 infections diagnosed between April 27 and June 24, 2022, at 43 sites in 16 countries. The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), showed that 95 percent of individuals had a rash (64 percent had fewer than 10 lesions), 73 percent had anogenital lesions, and 41 percent had a rash. mucosal lesions (54 with a single genital lesion). Also Read – Third case of monkeypox detected in Kerala’s Mallapuram, alert declared
Here are the main findings of the study:
- Overall, 98 percent of infected individuals were gay or bisexual men, 75 percent were white, and 41 percent had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
- Common systemic symptoms preceding the rash included fever (62 percent), lethargy (41 percent), myalgia (31 percent), and headache (27 percent); Lymphadenopathy — swelling of the lymph nodes — was also common (reported in 56 percent).
- Concomitant sexually transmitted infections were reported in 109 (29 percent) of 377 individuals tested.
- Among 23 individuals with a clear exposure history, the median incubation period was 7 days.
- Monkeypox virus DNA was detected in 29 of 32 individuals whose seminal fluid was analyzed.
New clinical features identified in monkeypox patients
- The study also identified new clinical features in people with monkeypox, not recognized in its current medical definitions. These symptoms include a genital lesion and sores on the mouth or anus.
- These symptoms are similar to those of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as syphilis or herpes and can easily be misdiagnosed.
- In some people, rectal and oral symptoms lead to hospitalization for management of pain and swallowing difficulties.
- It’s important that these new clinical symptoms are recognized and that healthcare professionals are educated on how to recognize and manage the disease — misdiagnosis can slow down detection and thus hinder efforts to control the spread of the virus, the team said.
- The findings will improve future diagnoses, help slow the spread of infection and help the international community prioritize the limited global supply of monkeypox vaccines and treatment to communities most at risk, the researchers added.
(With inputs from IANS) Also Read – Monkeypox virus may enter the US as a new STD
