Human monkeypox coinfection with acute HIV: an exuberant presentation

Human monkeypox (MPX) is a zoonotic endemic disease in regions of Africa caused by the monkeypox virus, with a recent outbreak in several non-African countries. We report a case of a 24-year-old male patient with a concurrent diagnosis of MPX and acute HIV infection who presented to our Emergency Care Dermatology Clinic with disseminated papules throughout the trunk, face and genital area. On the perianal area, several grouped umbilicated whitish papules in a kissing lesion configuration could be seen. Laboratory workups were consistent with recent HIV infection, and swab samples from the lesion surfaces were positive for monkeypox virus. We provide novel information on the clinical presentation of MPX, expanding the data pool of the clinical manifestations of which health workers should be aware.

Automated summary

We report a case of a 24-year-old male patient with concurrent MPX and acute HIV infection, presenting with disseminated papules throughout the body and characteristic lesion distribution in the perianal area. This study provides novel information on the clinical presentation of MPX.