Among people with monkeypox, those with HIV infection or STIs are disproportionately represented, according to research published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Alexandra M. Oster, MD, and colleagues matched and analyzed monkeypox, HIV, and STI surveillance data among patients with monkeypox and examined the differences in clinical features of monkeypox according to HIV infection status. The prevalence of HIV was 38% among 1,969 individuals with monkeypox from May 17 to July 22, 2022 and 41% had been diagnosed with at least one other reportable STI in the past year. Most patients (94%) with monkeypox and HIV had received HIV care in the previous year; 82% had an HIV viral load of less than 200 copies/mL, indicating viral suppression. A higher proportion of patients with HIV were hospitalized compared with those without HIV infection (8% vs 3%). “Data on diagnosis of HIV infections and STIs in close temporal association to monkeypox diagnosis reinforce the importance of offering recommended testing, prevention, and treatment services for HIV, STIs, and other syndemic conditions to men who have sex with men and other persons evaluated for monkeypox,” Dr. Oster and colleagues wrote.
