Monkeypox Virus Infections in Southern Italy: Is There a Risk for Community Spread?

Daniela Loconsole, Anna Sallustio, Francesca Centrone, Daniele Casulli, Marisa Accogli, Annalisa Saracino, Caterina Foti, Mauro Grandolfo, Giovanni Battista Buccoliero, Viviana Vitale, Sara De Nitto, Michele Conversano, Francesco Desiante, Laura Del Sambro, Domenico Simone, Antonio Parisi, Rosa Prato, Domenico Martinelli and Maria Chironna ()
Additional contact information
Daniela Loconsole: Hygiene Section, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Anna Sallustio: Hygiene Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Francesca Centrone: Hygiene Section, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Daniele Casulli: Hygiene Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Marisa Accogli: Hygiene Section, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Annalisa Saracino: Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Caterina Foti: Section of Dermatology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Mauro Grandolfo: Section of Dermatology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
Giovanni Battista Buccoliero: Infectious Diseases Unit, San Giuseppe Moscati Hospital, 74010 Taranto, Italy
Viviana Vitale: Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority of Bari, 70100 Bari, Italy
Sara De Nitto: Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority of Bari, 70100 Bari, Italy
Michele Conversano: Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority of Taranto, 74121 Taranto, Italy
Francesco Desiante: Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority of Taranto, 74121 Taranto, Italy
Laura Del Sambro: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy
Domenico Simone: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy
Antonio Parisi: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, 71121 Foggia, Italy
Rosa Prato: Hygiene Section, Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
Domenico Martinelli: Hygiene Section, Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
Maria Chironna: Hygiene Section, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-10

Abstract: The ongoing outbreak of the Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is characterized by sustained human-to-human transmission, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics of the MPXV infection identified in Southern Italy. Clinical samples for each suspected case identified from 1 June to 1 August 2022 were tested for MPXV, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on two strains. Ten cases were identified: eight were young adult males, including six MSMs, and two were female. Nine subjects reported recent sexual exposure. One female subject without sexual exposure only reported attendance at a social gathering. Overall, 7 of 10 skin lesion samples had a high viral load of MPXV DNA, and 6/9 whole blood samples and 6/8 nasopharyngeal swab samples also tested positive. The analyzed sequences belonged to Clade 3, lineage B.1, and B.1.5, respectively. Despite this recent multinational outbreak of MPXV cases having revealed a high proportion of cases occurring among MSM, the identification of cases among heterosexual subjects and in a female subject without sexual risk factors should raise awareness among clinicians about the possible spread of MPXV in the general population.

Keywords: monkeypox virus; surveillance; epidemiology; whole-genome sequencing; southern Italy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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