Child ; Humans ; Mpox (monkeypox)/prevention & control* ; Disease Outbreaks

The World Health Organization declared mpox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022 and August 2024. To date, the Philippines has reported 15 confirmed cases. This report described the demographics, clinical presentations, transmission risks, outcome and viral genetic clades of confirmed mpox cases.

Data from six RT-PCR-confirmed cases at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine identified MPXV clade II in five cases and MPXV clade III in one case. The cases involved five cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM), three of which were known to be people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and one cisgender female. The median age was 31. Two cases had a history of international travel prior to symptoms.

The cases presented with skin rash (100%), fever (100%), malaise (100%), genital rash (67%), localized lymphadenopathy (16.67%), and headache (16.67%). Skin lesions were umbilicated, presenting as vesicles (100%), papules (83%), or pustules (50%). Secondary bacterial skin infections were reported in two cases. Sequelae included post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring. No severe complications or deaths occurred.

Mpox outbreak emphasized the threat of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. This report provides insights on mpox’ clinical manifestations, transmission, and outcomes in MSM and PLHIV. Mild disease presentations in HIV patients emphasize the importance of ART adherence in preventing severe complications. Despite the small sample size, this study underscores the need for ongoing surveillance and targeted public health intervention focusing on awareness, safe sexual practices, early diagnosis and treatment.

BACKGROUND

Mpox, a zoonotic disease identified in central Africa in 1958, is mainly endemic to the Congo basin and West Africa. Collecting demographic and clinical data is crucial for early recognition and differentiation of skin lesions as the Philippines addresses this public health challenge.

We describe the demographics, clinical profile, and outcomes of suspected and confirmed mpox cases in the Philippines from July to November 2022.

This case series reviewed suspected and confirmed mpox cases at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine from July to November 2022. Clinical data, demographics, and outcomes were collected through retrospective chart reviews and summarized using descriptive statistics.

Fifteen cases were reviewed, including 2 confirmed mpox cases, with an average age of 37.8 years and 80% male. The other symptoms associated with rash at presentation included fever (20%) followed by lymphadenopathy, malaise and chills reported in 1 case each. All patients had pustules and erythematous papules, with 67% showing vesicles. Lesions mainly appeared on the extremities (93%), trunk (60%), and head/neck (47%), evolving into crusts within 1–2 days. Non-confirmed cases were often misdiagnosed as varicella (60%), arthropod bites (20%), or folliculitis (7%).

Young to middle-aged males with travel histories were common in suspected and confirmed mpox cases. Lesions typically included papules and pustules on the extremities, evolving into crusts and erosions within 1–2 days. Confirmed cases had umbilicated papules and fever, while PCR-negative cases were diagnosed with local skin conditions. Testing is vital for timely detection and management, especially since mpox resembles other conditions.

BACKGROUND

Molluscum contagiosum is a benign viral infection affecting children, sexually active adults, and immunocompromised individuals. Modified autoinoculation (MAI) is a procedure in which a solitary lesion of molluscum contagiosum lesion is inoculated in the affected skin to stimulate an immune response, thereby clearing the infection.

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of modified autoinoculation versus curettage in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum infection.

This study was an assessor-blinded, randomized therapeutic trial performed at the Department of Dermatology of Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center. 52 patients with newly diagnosed molluscum contagiosum that had not been previously treated were assigned randomly using computer-generated randomization to either curettage or MAI. 26 patients were allocated in each treatment group. Patients were followed-up every 2 weeks for 3 months and at 6 months to evaluate clearance and recurrence rates along with adverse events.

Curettage was significantly a more effective treatment than MAI in achieving higher clearance rates and reducing recurrences. Adverse events did not differ significantly.

While MAI was a less invasive alternative, curettage remains superior in terms of efficacy and recurrence prevention. However, MAI may still be considered for patients seeking a less painful procedure, especially in children and those with extensive lesions.

The outbreak of monkeypox has become a global matter of concern since last year. Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by monkeypox virus（MPXV）infection，and in addition to the typical symptom of rash，MPXV infection can cause a series of neurological manifestations，with the potential mechanisms of immune-mediated neurological damage after infection and direct invasion of the virus into the nervous system. This article reviews the neurological manifestations of MPXV infection，so as to facilitate the early identification and diagnosis of the neurological complications of MPXV infection and adopt appropriate prevention and treatment measures in a timely manner.
Monkeypox virus

Humans ; Mpox (monkeypox) ; China

Humans ; Child ; Myrtus ; Molluscum Contagiosum/drug therapy* ; Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy*

Monkeypox is a zoonosis caused by monkeypox virus. Monkeypox was endemic mainly in central and western Africa in the past. Since May 7, 2022, monkeypox outbreaks have been reported in many non-epidemic countries and regions around the world. As of December 25, 2022, monkeypox cases have been detected in 110 countries and areas. Moreover, human to human transmission, especially among men who have sex with men, has aroused high global concern. The incidence, transmission route and clinical characteristics of monkeypox in 2022 seemed different from those in the past. Therefore, this paper summarizes the progress in research of the changes of epidemiological characteristics of monkeypox, the clinical characteristics of monkeypox and its prevention and treatment to provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of monkeypox.
Male ; Animals ; Humans ; Monkeypox/epidemiology* ; Homosexuality, Male ; Sexual and Gender Minorities ; Zoonoses ; Disease Outbreaks

With the expansion of mpox virus infection from endemic to a global epidemic in 2022, the WHO declared that the mpox event constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Due to the high degree of gene sequence similarity among orthopox viruses and cross-reactive antibodies induced by orthoviruses, smallpox vaccination may affect the immune response induced by mpox virus infection. The analysis of the protective effects of smallpox vaccination against mpox virus infection will help define the focus of prevention and control. In this review, we clarify the protection of the smallpox vaccine against mpox virus infection by analyzing the correlation between smallpox vaccination, immune response status, and clinical data and providing evidence for the prevention, control, and strategies of mpox epidemics.
Humans ; Smallpox/epidemiology* ; Monkeypox/drug therapy* ; Smallpox Vaccine/therapeutic use* ; Vaccination ; Immunity

Objective To express the monkeypox virus (MPXV) A23R protein in Escherichia coli and purify by Ni-NTA affinity column, and to prepare mouse antiserum against MPXV A23R. Methods The recombinant plasmid pET-28a-MPXV-A23R was constructed and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 to induce the expression of A23R protein. After optimizing the conditions of expression, A23R protein was highly expressed. Recombinant A23R protein was purified by Ni-NTA affinity column and identified by Western blot analysis. The purified protein was used to immunize mice for preparing the A23R polyclonal antibody, and the antibody titer was detected by ELISA. Results The expression of A23R recombinant protein reached the peak under the induced conditions of 0.6 mmol/L isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG), 37 DegreesCelsius and 20 hours. The purity of the protein was about 96.07% and was identified by Western blot analysis. The mice were immunized with recombinant protein, and the titer of antibody reached 1:102 400 at the 6th week after immunization. Conclusion MPXV A23R is expressed highly and purified with a high purity and its antiserum from mouse is obtained with a high titre.
Animals ; Mice ; Monkeypox virus ; Antibodies ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Blotting, Western ; Recombinant Proteins ; Escherichia coli/genetics*