Eczema Monkeypoxicum in a Female Patient With Atopic Dermatitis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Virology

Background:

• Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition.
• Tattoos are created by inserting ink into the dermis, potentially breaching the skin barrier.
• Mpox (monkeypox) virus is a double-stranded DNA virus that causes mpox disease.

Observation:

• A female patient with atopic dermatitis presented with unilateral auricular pain and vesiculopustular lesions shortly after receiving a new tattoo.
• The patient subsequently developed approximately 80 disseminated lesions over a week.
• Mpox virus infection was confirmed through laboratory testing.

Findings:

• The patient's clinical presentation and laboratory results confirmed mpox virus infection.
• Initiation of oral tecovirimat treatment led to the cessation of new lesion development.
• This case highlights a potential association between tattooing, atopic dermatitis, and mpox virus acquisition.

Implications:

• Tattooing may represent a risk factor for mpox virus infection, particularly in individuals with compromised skin barriers like those with atopic dermatitis.
• Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of antiviral therapy (tecovirimat) are crucial for managing mpox virus infections.
• Further research is warranted to understand the immunomodulatory effects of tattooing and its potential role in infectious disease transmission.