ABSTRACT
@#Abstract: Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics of 35 patients with human monkeypox in Chengdu City, in order to provide theoretical basis for prevention and control of monkeypox epidemic in China. Methods A total of 35 patients diagnosed with monkeypox infection by Chengdu CDC from July 1 to July 23, 2023 were included in our study. The results of general clinical data, blood laboratory tests, lymph node ultrasound and chest CT results were collected in order to analyze the clinical features of human monkeypox patients in Chengdu City. Results All 35 monkeypox patients were young adult males, and there were no serious or fatal cases. Among them, 32 cases (91.4%) were men who have sex with men (MSM), and 30 cases had engaged in male-to-male sexual behavior within 21 days prior to the onset of the disease, of which 13 cases had taken protective measures. Fever symptoms were observed in 26 cases (74.3%) of the patients, with 19 cases experiencing fever within 1-6 days after the appearance of rash. The initial rash commonly occurred in the male external genitalia. Color ultrasound examinations indicated that all patients had swollen inguinal lymph nodes. C-reactive protein was elevated in 26 cases (74.3%) of patients, and 19 cases showed CD3+CD4+T/CD3+CD8+T< 1.0. 15 cases (42.8%) of the patients were infected with both monkeypox virus and HIV, 28.5% (10/35) of patients had concomitant skin infections and anorectal proctitis,respectively. The mean time from rash onset to the shedding of rash scabs was 14.8 days. Conclusions The MSM population in sexually active age group is the main infection object of human monkeypox virus. In monkeypox patients in Chengdu City, the rash starting at genital areas and rash occurring before systemic symptoms were common. Swollen inguinal lymph nodes are especially common in monkeypox patients. Skin infection and anorectal proctitis are the most common complications in monkeypox patients in Chengdu City. The abnormal cellular immune function in monkeypox patients is mainly reflected in the inverted ratio of CD3+CD4+T/CD3+CD8+T. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that protective measures during male-to-male sexual behavior can reduce the risk of human monkeypox infection.