Title : Repercussions of monkeypox infection in humans: A case report
Abstract:
Monkeypox (Mpox) is an emerging viral zoonosis that has gained increasing attention due to its clinical similarity to smallpox and its ability to cause sporadic outbreaks in human communities. This condition, caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPXV), belonging to the Poxviridae family and Orthopoxvirus genus, is characterized as an acute febrile disease with skin rashes. The infection has a restricted geographical distribution, mainly in Central and West Africa, but global concern has increased due to the possibility of its spread beyond these borders. Thus, it poses a significant threat to public health, especially in regions where the interaction between humans and wild animals is common, particularly rodents, which serve as natural reservoirs for the virus. This report is about a 35-year-old male patient, black, freelancer, with a diagnosis of B24 since 2012 under outpatient follow-up at ICOM. He presented to the emergency room reporting that in October 2023, he started developing vesicular skin lesions initially around the anus, progressing to the entire body, raising suspicion of Monkeypox. A PCR test for Monkeypox was collected. He complained of intense pain in the anal region, with lesions already in the crusting phase throughout the body, painful to the touch, with no evidence of local purulent discharge, associated with constipation. The patient also had yellowish discharge from the anus and crusted lesions in the perianal region. He reported a history of herpes in the anal region. He mentioned using Ibuprofen and Paracetamol/Codeine for pain control, but significant anal pain persisted. He had taken Ceftriaxone 500mg and Azithromycin 1000mg prescribed in a previous consultation. He reported unprotected sexual intercourse at the end of September and continued to experience pain, worse in the perianal region. Therefore, this zoonosis represents a significant threat to public health, especially in regions where there is frequent interaction between humans and wild animals, such as rodents, acting as natural reservoirs of the virus. Although initially restricted to the regions of Central and West Africa, global concern has increased due to the possibility of its spread beyond these borders. The presented case highlights the importance of monitoring and controlling this disease, emphasizing the need for preventive strategies and interventions in communities prone to outbreaks, especially when there are risk factors such as unprotected sexual relations and a history of anal herpes. Additionally, it illustrates the clinical complexity of the infection, emphasizing the importance of epidemiological surveillance and preventive measures to contain the spread of Monkeypox.
