Madrid vaccinates against monkey smallpox at the Isabel Zendal EFE
Of the 200 asymptomatic people tested who tested negative, 13 tested positive by PCR and two of them subsequently developed monkeypox symptoms.
16/08/2022
Updated on 26/08/2022 at 13:21
A study at the Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital in Paris (France) has detected the monkey virus in anal samples from asymptomatic men who have sex with men (MSH).
These results suggest that limited vaccination given to those with known exposure to the monkey virus may not be sufficient to avert infection, according to the study, published in or in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Investigators performed a retrospective monocon virus detection PCR form on all anorectal swabs that were considered part of a sexually transmitted infection screening program.
According to French guidelines, this type of screening is performed every 3 months among MSM with multiple sexual partners who are taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral treatment.
Of the 200 asymptomatic people tested who tested negative for 'N. gonorrhoeae' and 'C. trachomatis', 13 (6,5%) samples were PCR positive for monkeypox virus. Two of the 13 people subsequently developed monkeypox symptoms.
It is puzzled whether asymptomatic infection plays a role in the transmission of the monkey virus virus. But the current global epidemic of monkeypox and the mode of person-to-person transmission may provide evidence that asymptomatic or preclinical spread may occur.
The researchers suggested that "an expanded stratum of ring vaccination and other public health interventions in the highest-risk communities are likely to be necessary to help control the outbreak."
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