Abstract
Early in the 2022 Mpox (MPX) global outbreak, caseloads in the New York
Metropolitan area climbed rapidly before other US urban areas. This case
series summarizes the authors’ clinical experience detecting and
treating MPX, during a quickly evolving outbreak. Clinical outcomes were
recorded with a focus on varied clinical presentation and outcomes such
as complications and response to experimental tecovirimat therapy. A
focal or multifocal rash was the most common presenting symptom in 91%
of patients. Almost two thirds (62%) of patients had anogenital
involvement. Proctitis was one of the most painful presentations with
75% requiring antiviral treatment and 3 patients needing
hospitalization for pain management. Most patients responded promptly to
antiviral treatment with tecovirimat. Five out of 10 patients treated
with tecovirimat reported symptom resolution within 48 – 72 hours of
therapy and another 3 saw resolution within first 96 hours. Two patients
had poor response to tecovirimat. This series includes the only reported
case of an HIV positive, immunocompetent patient who experienced
recurrent anal ulcers due to Mpox and required a second course of
tecovirimat. Other unique presentations included urethritis, abscess
formation and MPX infection post-vaccination. Control of this current
Mpox outbreak was possible due to timely diagnosis and the availability
of both a licensed vaccine and an investigational drug.