Tecovirimat Use in Ambulatory and Hospitalized Patients With Monkeypox Virus Infection

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreaks necessitate effective treatment strategies.
• Tecovirimat is an antiviral medication approved for treating smallpox and MPXV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the use and tolerability of tecovirimat in adult patients with monkeypox virus infection.
• To identify factors influencing tecovirimat administration in a clinical setting.

Main Methods:

• A case series of 20 adult patients treated for monkeypox virus infection.
• Data collected from patients at a large academic medical center in Chicago, Illinois.
• Analysis of tecovirimat use, indications, and adverse events.

Main Results:

• Tecovirimat use was primarily reserved for patients with severe disease or high risk of severe outcomes.
• Administration of tecovirimat was sometimes delayed due to logistical and clinical factors.
• The antiviral medication was generally well tolerated by the patient cohort.

Conclusions:

• Tecovirimat can be a safe and effective treatment option for severe monkeypox virus infections.
• Addressing logistical and clinical barriers is important for timely tecovirimat administration.
• Further research should explore optimal timing and patient selection for tecovirimat therapy.