[Mpox as a Clinical Imitator of Molluscum Contagiosum]

We present the case of a 34-year-old male patient who consulted for genital lesions of 2 days evolution following unprotected sexual contact with his male partner 8 days prior. The physical examination revealed three white and umbilicated papules on the glans, foreskin, and pubis, as well as an ulcer on the foreskin. Initial tests yielded negative results, but a subsequent PCR test confirmed the infection with MPOX. MPOX is a zoonotic disease caused by an orthopoxvirus, with an increase in cases since 2016 and a declared public health emergency in 2022. The main transmission occurs through direct contact with secretions or lesions, primarily affecting men who have sex with men. The clinical course is similar to smallpox, with a prodromal stage followed by the appearance of cutaneous exanthema. It is important to highlight the possibility of diagnostic confusion with molluscum contagiosum, especially in initial stages. A precise diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial to avoid complications. In Chile, 1.441 confirmed cases of MPOX have been reported, with this being one of the few cases reported in the literature with initial presentation of molluscum contagiosum-like lesions in the genital area.