Eye Diseases Found in 11% of Mpox Patients

Researchers recommend conducting an ophthalmological assessment in cases of moderate and severe mpox disease.

Eleven percent of patients with mpox (formerly referred to as Monkeypox) presented with eye-related issues, including conjunctivitis and eyelid lesions ().

Global Outbreak and Ocular Manifestations in Mpox Virus

Mpox virus is transmitted primarily through close physical contact and causes a disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, although less severe. In May of 2022, the virus saw a major outbreak, spreading to more than 100 countries and causing over 86,900 infections across the world.Researchers from the Clínica Especializada Condesa Iztapalapa in Mexico City, Mexico retrospectively described that out of 100 cases of confirmed mpox between September and December 2022, 11 (11 percent) had ocular manifestations, of these 9 (81.8 percent) were people with HIV.

Of the 9 who had HIV, 6 were receiving antiretroviral therapy. All patients had classic mpox lesions, most often on the trunk (81.8 percent), anogenital area (72.7 percent), arms or legs (72.7 percent), face (72.7 percent), and palms and soles (45.4 percent).The most common systemic symptoms were fever (72.7 percent), muscle pain (72.7 percent), weakness (63.6 percent), swollen lymph nodes (63.6 percent), and headache (45.4 percent).

Ocular Manifestations in Mpox Patients

The most common findings in the 11 patients with ocular conditions were follicular conjunctivitis also known as pink eye (6 patients), eyelid lesions (6), episcleritis (inflammation of the clear tissue layer covering the white parts of the eye; 1), and keratitis (inflammation of the cornea; 1). The eye conditions resolved within one month in all but the keratitis patient, who improved after treatment with topical interferon alfa-2b (the antiviral drugs recommended for severe mpox aren't available in Mexico).

Monkeypox
Monkeypox infection is a zoonotic viral infection that usually lasts for 3 weeks. It is caused by the monkeypox virus and is characterized by rash or pox-like symptoms.

‘Some mpox patients may experience severe ocular involvement leading to permanent vision impairment, even among individuals with a healthy immune system. #mpox #eyediseases #pinkeye #eyeinfections’

The researchers noted that the 11 percent rate of ocular manifestations is higher than those reported in previous studies, probably because they included an ocular assessment in the initial physical exam, and an ophthalmologic exam was performed for all patients with moderate to severe skin lesions.While most patients with ocular manifestations had HIV, the patient with keratitis did not, "which could reflect that severe ocular involvement is not exclusive to people with immunosuppression," the researchers said in the paper. "There may be cases with severe ocular affection and with a permanent vision impairment, even in immunocompetent people," they said.

Reference:

Spectrum of ophthalmic manifestations in monkeypox virus infection worldwide: Systematic review and meta-analysis - (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023057699)

Source-IANS

Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye causes redness and soreness of the conjunctiva and is responsible for 1% of all emergency visits to a hospital.

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