Human monkeypox virus infection in women and non-binary individuals during the 2022 outbreaks: a global case series.

BACKGROUND: Between May and November, 2022, global outbreaks of human monkeypox virus infection have been reported in more than 78 000 people worldwide, predominantly in men who have sex with men. We describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of monkeypox virus infection in cisgender (cis) and transgender (trans) women and non-binary individuals assigned female sex at birth to improve identification and understanding of risk factors. METHODS: International collaborators in geographical locations with high numbers of diagnoses of monkeypox virus infection were approached and invited to contribute data on women and non-binary individuals with confirmed monkeypox virus infection. Contributing centres completed deidentified structured case-report spreadsheets, adapted and developed by participating clinicians, to include variables of interest relevant to women and non-binary individuals assigned female at birth. We describe the epidemiology and clinical course observed in the reported infections. FINDINGS: Collaborators reported data for a total of 136 individuals with monkeypox virus infection who presented between May 11 and Oct 4, 2022, across 15 countries. Overall median age was 34 years (IQR 28-40; range 19-84). The cohort comprised 62 trans women, 69 cis women, and five non-binary individuals (who were, because of small numbers, grouped with cis women to form a category of people assigned female at birth for the purpose of comparison). 121 (89%) of 136 individuals reported sex with men. 37 (27%) of all individuals were living with HIV, with a higher proportion among trans women (31 [50%] of 62) than among cis women and non-binary individuals (six [8%] of 74). Sexual transmission was suspected in 55 (89%) trans women (with the remainder having an unknown route of transmission) and 45 (61%) cis women and non-binary individuals; non-sexual routes of transmission (including household and occupational exposures) were reported only in cis women and non-binary individuals. 25 (34%) of 74 cis women and non-binary individuals submitted to the case series were initially misdiagnosed. Overall, among individuals with available data, rash was described in 124 (93%) of 134 individuals and described as anogenital in 95 (74%) of 129 and as vesiculopustular in 105 (87%) of 121. Median number of lesions was ten (IQR 5-24; range 1-200). Mucosal lesions involving the vagina, anus, or oropharynx or eye occurred in 65 (55%) of 119 individuals with available data. Vaginal and anal sex were associated with lesions at those sites. Monkeypox virus DNA was detected by PCR from vaginal swab samples in all 14 samples tested. 17 (13%) individuals were hospitalised, predominantly for bacterial superinfection of lesions and pain management. 33 (24%) individuals were treated with tecovirimat and six (4%) received post-exposure vaccinations. No deaths were reported. INTERPRETATION: The clinical features of monkeypox in women and non-binary individuals were similar to those described in men, including the presence of anal and genital lesions with prominent mucosal involvement. Anatomically, anogenital lesions were reflective of sexual practices: vulvovaginal lesions predominated in cis women and non-binary individuals and anorectal features predominated in trans women. The prevalence of HIV co-infection in the cohort was high. FUNDING: None.

Laboratory findings in Zika infection: The experience of a reference centre in North-West Italy.

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) remains a public health concern due to its association with fetal malformation and neurologic disease. OBJECTIVE: To report a reference centre experience on ZIKA virus (ZIKV) infection in travelers from epidemic countries from January 1 to September, 30, 2016 in Italy North-West (a geographic area covering 4.424 million inhabitants, corresponding to almost 73% of Italy North-West area). STUDY DESIGN: One hundred and twelve febrile travelers were studied to rule out a tropical fever [e.g. malaria, dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV), West Nile (WNV) and ZIKV]. Molecular tests for detecting ZIKV RNA were applied on serum or urine as well as IgG and IgM specific serology. RESULTS: ZIKV was the most frequent "tropical infection (11.6%) with 12 infected travelers and one sexual partner of an infected traveler. At the time of the diagnosis, ZIKV RNA was detected in the blood from 9 patients (69%) within 7 days from symptom onset; afterwards, the virus was detected only in urine (5 patients) and ZIKV IgM was reactive in 9 patients (69%). Travelers with ZIKV infection tested negative for DENV, CHIKV, WNV and malaria and completely recovered. Other infections identified in travelers were DENV (5 patients, 4.5%), CHIKV (1, 0.9%), malaria (Plasmodium vivax, 1, 0.9%), measles (1, 0.9%) and tuberculosis (1, 0.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The etiologic diagnosis of a febrile illness in travelers where ZIKV is endemic is highly desirable as they are sentinel of a challenging epidemiology including the risk of autochthonous transmission in non endemic countries where the competent or carrier vector is present.

The outcome of HIV-positive late presenters according to detectable CMV DNA and anti-CMV treatment.

BACKGROUND: HIV late presenters are at high risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation and end-organ disease. CMV viraemia has been associated with poor survival but the effect of anti-CMV treatment has not been studied in this setting. METHODS: HIV-positive patients were included in a retrospective study if presenting with <350 CD4+ T-cells/µl and starting an antiretroviral treatment within 3 months of the diagnosis. Primary end point was 5-year survival according to the presence of CMV viraemia, CMV end-organ disease and anti-CMV treatment. RESULTS: 302 patients were included. 157 patients (52%) presented CMV viraemia (CMV-V) and 44 (14.6%) CMV end-organ disease (CMV-EOD). 5-year mortality was higher in CMV-EOD and CMV-V patients than in CMV-negative patients (11.4 versus 9.6 versus 0%; P=0.002). In patients with CMV-V, 5-year mortality was numerically higher in untreated patients (12.9% versus 6.9%; P=0.257) without reaching statistical significance. At univariate analysis the diagnosis of serious opportunistic infections (cryptococcosis, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, lymphoma; P=0.001) and the absence of a negative CMV DNA in the follow-up (P<0.001) were associated with poor outcome. At multivariate analysis HCV coinfection (P=0.016; aOR 6.98, 95% CI 1.50, 32.59), the absence of a negative CMV DNA in the follow-up (P<0.001; aOR 19.40, 95% CI 3.70, 101.64) and marginally the absence of anti-CMV treatment (P=0.052; aOR 4.944, 95% CI 0.99, 24.73) were independent predictors of poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: CMV reactivation in HIV-positive patients with poor immunity is associated with worse prognosis: the pre-emptive use of anti-CMV therapy was associated with a better outcome in patients with CMV-V.

High Incidence of Infections in HIV-positive Patients Treated for Lymphoproliferative Disorders.

BACKGROUND: Lymphoproliferative disorders are frequently diagnosed in HIV-positive patients and severe infections may occur during antineoplastic treatments: the incidence and impact of such events are not well-characterized. OBJECTIVE: To describe the occurrence and mortality of incident infections in HIV-positive individuals treated for lymphoproliferative disorders. METHODS: A retrospective study in HIV-positive adults with lymphoproliferative disorders (2000- 2012) who were hospitalised to receive antineoplastic chemotherapy; antimicrobial prophylaxis with alternate day co-trimoxazole (800/160 mg) was administered to all individuals. RESULTS: 103 patients were included: mostly males (81, 78.6%), Caucasians (101, 98.1%), with a median age of 43 years (39-51). Fifty-eight (56.3%) patients had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), thirty-two (29.1%) had Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and ten patients (9.7%) had Burkitt's lymphoma (BL). Five year survival was 63.1%: the best survival rates were reported in HL (78.1%), followed by NHL (58.6%) and BL (50%). Forty-four patients (42.7%) developed 82 infections during follow up: identified causative agents were bacteria (35, 42.7%), viruses (28, 34.1%), mycobacteria (7, 8.5%), protozoa (7, 8.5%) and fungi (5, 6.1%). Cytomegalovirus infections (n=17, including 5 endorgan diseases) emerged 53 days after the diagnosis: multivariate analysis showed CD4+ cell count <100/uL as the only independently associated factor (p<0.001, aOR=23.5). Two factors were associated with mortality risk: an IPI/IPS-score of >2 (p=0.004, aOR=6.55) and the presence of CMV disease (p=0.032, aOR=2.73). CONCLUSION: HIV positive patients receiving treatment for lymphoproliferative disorders suffer from a high incidence of infections and associated mortality risk. Tailored prophylactic strategies need to be considered in this setting.

Louseborne Relapsing Fever among East African Refugees, Italy, 2015.

During June 9-September 30, 2015, five cases of louseborne relapsing fever were identified in Turin, Italy. All 5 cases were in young refugees from Somalia, 2 of whom had lived in Italy since 2011. Our report seems to confirm the possibility of local transmission of louse-borne relapsing fever.

Diagnosis of dengue fever in North West Italy in travelers from endemic areas: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Domestic outbreaks of Dengue (DENV) fever from imported cases have to be considered a possible risk in non-endemic countries where Dengue vectors are present, such as in Italy. OBJECTIVE: To review imported acute/recent DENV infections in a one-year survey in a North West Italy region where the presence of Aedes albopictus is documented. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed laboratory and clinical records of Italian febrile travelers from Dengue endemic areas referring to the local reference Centre for Infectious Disease, covering a population of about 4 million people. RESULTS: Acute/recent DENV infection was identified in 15 out of 91 travelers from endemic areas (16.5%) including 12 primary and 3 secondary infections; in 6 patients the virus was detectable in blood according to molecular real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction-based assays: in 9 patients the diagnosis of DENV infection was accomplished by the combination of specific IgM reactivity, high IgG titers, IgG seroconversion from negative to positive and increasing (four-fold) IgG titers in paired serum samples. Two cases of DENV infections were imported from South Egypt in patients travelling together, confirming the importance of returning travelers as sentinels of a rapidly changing epidemiology in specific geographic areas. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings outline the high rate of imported Dengue infection in North West Italy and emphasize the need for a continued Dengue surveillance in non-endemic countries as well as a careful evaluation and follow-up of febrile patients returning from Dengue endemic countries.