AI Summary
The study analyzed MPXV DNA kinetics in different body fluids samples from 89 confirmed cases. Results showed higher viral loads and positivity rates in the first two weeks of symptoms, with respiratory specimens exhibiting the highest levels. Only a few samples remained positive for viral DNA after a certain period, highlighting the importance of specific sample types for diagnosis and monitoring. Testing sensitivity was best in plasma samples, indicating their potential for MPXV diagnostics and understanding transmission routes.
Since spring 2022, the global epidemiology of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) has changed. The unprecedented increase of human clade II MPXV cases worldwide heightened concerns about this emerging zoonotic disease. We analysed the positivity rates, viral loads, infectiousness, and persistence of MPXV DNA for up to 4Â months in several biological samples from 89 MPXV-confirmed cases. Our data showed that viral loads and positivity rates were higher during the first two weeks of symptoms for all sample types. Amongst no-skin-samples, respiratory specimens showed higher MPXV DNA levels and median time until viral clearance, suggesting their usefulness in supporting MPXV diagnosis, investigating asymptomatic patients, and monitoring viral shedding. Infectious virus was cultured from respiratory samples, semen, and stools, with high viral loads and collected within the first 10Â days. Notably, only one saliva and one semen were found positive for viral DNA after 71 and 31Â days from symptoms, respectively. The focus on bloodstream samples showed the best testing sensitivity in plasma, reporting the overall highest MPXV DNA detection rate and viral loads during the 3-week follow-up as compared to serum and whole-blood. The data here presented can be useful for MPXV diagnostics and a better understanding of the potential alternative routes of its onward transmission.
From January 2022 to October 17, 2023, more than 91,190 laboratory-confirmed cases of clade II monkeypox virus (MPXV),