Researchers in London have reported that the symptoms observed in monkeypox patients in the United Kingdom differ significantly from those seen in previous outbreaks, raising concerns about the potential for some cases to go unrecognized. The study, conducted on 54 patients at sexual health clinics in London in May of this year, found that the symptoms diverged from the usual presentation of monkeypox; fever and fatigue were less common, while skin lesions in the genital and anal regions were larger.
This research, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, follows suggestions from public health agencies, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that the outbreak—primarily spreading among men who have sex with men—presents with unusual symptoms. The researchers, representing several institutions, emphasized the need to revise case definitions to avoid missing some cases, especially since monkeypox can "mimic" other common sexually transmitted diseases like herpes and syphilis.
The study also found that a quarter of monkeypox patients were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and another quarter had other sexually transmitted infections. Dr. Ruth Byrne, who participated in the study, stated, "Misdiagnosis of the infection may hinder the opportunity for appropriate intervention and prevention of transmission."
