Faculty Collaboration Database

Clinical characteristics of human monkeypox, and risk factors for severe disease. Clin Infect Dis 2005 Dec 15;41(12):1742-51

Date

11/17/2005

Pubmed ID

16288398

DOI

10.1086/498115

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-28744456362 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   393 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Human monkeypox is an emerging smallpox-like illness that was identified for the first time in the United States during an outbreak in 2003. Knowledge of the clinical manifestations of monkeypox in adults is limited, and clinical laboratory findings have been unknown.

METHODS: Demographic information; medical history; smallpox vaccination status; signs, symptoms, and duration of illness, and laboratory results (hematologic and serum chemistry findings) were extracted from medical records of patients with a confirmed case of monkeypox in the United States. Two-way comparisons were conducted between pediatric and adult patients and between patients with and patients without previous smallpox vaccination. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors for severe disease (fever [temperature, > or =38.3 degrees C] and the presence of rash [> or =100 lesions]), activity and duration of hospitalization, and abnormal clinical laboratory findings were performed.

RESULTS: Of 34 patients with a confirmed case of monkeypox, 5 (15%) were defined as severely ill, and 9 (26%) were hospitalized for >48 h; no patients died. Previous smallpox vaccination was not associated with disease severity or hospitalization. Pediatric patients (age, < or =18 years) were more likely to be hospitalized in an intensive care unit. Nausea and/or vomiting and mouth sores were independently associated with a hospitalization duration of >48 h and with having > or =3 laboratory tests with abnormal results.

CONCLUSION: Monkeypox can cause a severe clinical illness, with systemic signs and symptoms and abnormal clinical laboratory findings. In the appropriate epidemiologic context, monkeypox should be included in the differential diagnosis for patients with unusual vesiculopustular exanthems, mucosal lesions, gastrointestinal symptoms, and abnormal hematologic or hepatic laboratory findings. Clinicians evaluating a rash illness consistent with possible orthopoxvirus infection should alert public health officials and consider further evaluation.

Author List

Huhn GD, Bauer AM, Yorita K, Graham MB, Sejvar J, Likos A, Damon IK, Reynolds MG, Kuehnert MJ

Author

Mary Beth Graham MD Associate Chief, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Child
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Risk Factors
Severity of Illness Index