A retrospective study on 198 mpox cases in South Florida: Clinical characteristics and outcomes with focus on human immunodeficiency virus status.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) and persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) were disproportionately affected by global mpox outbreak in 2022. In this retrospective review, we describe epidemiology and clinical characteristics of mpox infection in South Florida with a focus on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of 198 adult patients with confirmed diagnosis of mpox between 01 January 2020, and 10 September 2022, in two large health systems in South Florida. A descriptive analysis was performed to summarize demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics, and outcomes of the patients.

Results: Young male patients and PLWH were disproportionately represented among patients with mpox. HIV positive patients were less likely to have adenopathy and myalgia and were more likely to have oral or facial lesions. 22.7% of studied patients were diagnosed with one or more concurrent STI at the time of mpox diagnosis.

Conclusions: We suggest screening for sexually transmitted infections and HIV for patients diagnosed with mpox. We suggest prompt consultation or referral to infectious disease specialist if needed for the patients who are diagnosed with mpox especially in the severely immunocompromised host.