Monkeypox Diagnosis by Cutaneous and Mucosal Findings

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Dermatology
• Public Health

Background:

• The 2022 global monkeypox (MPX) outbreak presented with diverse clinical manifestations.
• Accurate diagnosis relies on recognizing characteristic skin and mucosal lesions, confirmed by molecular testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical characteristics of skin and mucosal lesions in confirmed human monkeypox patients during the early phase of the 2022 outbreak.
• To emphasize the importance of lesion identification for timely diagnosis and disease control.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 47 confirmed human monkeypox patients presenting between May and July 2022.
• Detailed documentation of lesion types, locations, and stages at the time of diagnosis.

Main Results:

• All 47 patients were male; 44.7% were co-infected with HIV.
• Genital (63.8%) and anorectal (46.8%) regions were most commonly affected.
• Lesions often presented in multiple stages simultaneously, with typical findings including papules, some with necrotic centers.

Conclusions:

• Early and accurate identification of monkeypox skin and mucosal lesions is critical.
• Recognizing diverse lesion presentations, including those in multiple stages, aids in avoiding diagnostic delays.
• Prompt diagnosis is essential to prevent further transmission and reduce global morbidity.