Lymphofollicular lesions associated with monkeypox (Mpox) virus proctitis

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Gastroenterology
• Virology

Background:

• The 2022 global Mpox (monkeypox) outbreak predominantly affected men who have sex with men.
• Proctitis, or rectal inflammation, was a notable symptom, occurring in approximately 14% of cases.

Observation:

• This study focused on four hospitalized patients with severe proctitis confirmed to have Mpox.
• Detailed clinical, virological, microbiological, endoscopic, and histological data were collected for these cases.

Findings:

• The research provides the first evidence of lymphofollicular lesions specifically associated with Mpox virus rectal infection.
• These findings characterize the pathological changes in the rectum during severe Mpox infections.

Implications:

• Understanding these rectal lesions is crucial for diagnosing and managing severe proctitis in Mpox patients.
• This research contributes to the broader knowledge of Mpox virus tropism and its gastrointestinal manifestations.