Prolonged viral shedding in an immunocompromised Korean patient infected
with hMPXV, sub-lineage B.1.3, with acquired drug resistant mutations
during tecovirimat treatment
Abstract
Following the worldwide surge in mpox(monkeypox) in 2022, cases have
persisted in Asia, including South Korea, and sexual contact is presumed
as the predominant mode of transmission, with a discernible surge in
prevalence among immunocompromised patients. Drugs such as tecovirimat
can result in drug-resistant mutations, presenting obstacles to
treatment. This study aimed to ascertain the presence of
tecovirimat-related resistant mutations through genomic analysis of the
monkeypox virus isolated from a reported case involving prolonged viral
shedding in South Korea. Here, tecovirimat-resistant mutations,
previously identified in the B.1 clade, were observed in the B.1.3
clade, predominant in South Korea. These mutations exhibited diverse
patterns across different samples from the same patient and reflected
the varied distribution of viral subpopulations in different anatomical
regions. The A290V and A288P mutant strains we isolated hold promise for
elucidating these mechanisms, enabling a comprehensive analysis of viral
pathogenesis, replication strategies, and host interactions. Our
findings imply that acquired drug-resistant mutations, may present a
challenge to individual patient treatment. Moreover, they have the
potential to give rise to transmitted drug-resistant mutations, thereby
imposing a burden on the public health system. Consequently, the
meticulous genomic surveillance among immunocompromised patients,
conducted in this research, assumes paramount importance.