Genito-Urinary Clinic, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta.
Migrant Health Dermatology Working Group of International Foundation for Dermatology, London, UK.
Int J Dermatol. 2023 Oct;62(10):1266-1271. doi: 10.1111/ijd.16811. Epub 2023 Aug 17.
In May of 2022, an mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) outbreak was reported from countries where the disease is not endemic, rising worldwide concern. Malta, the smallest European Union member state, faced unique challenges, with high infection rates compared to the rest of Europe. The aim of the study is to describe the clinical characteristics, diagnostic challenges, and unique demographics of mpox patients diagnosed in Malta.
This is a retrospective analysis of medical records of all mpox cases recorded from May to September 2022. Demographic data, sexual behaviors and practices, travel history, comorbidities, and HIV status were investigated.
In the study period, we recorded 33 mpox cases, 97% of them were male, in the age group 30-39 (39%). Ninety percent were gay or bisexual men and 76% non-Maltese. The most common clinical presentations included skin rash (78%), lymphadenopathy (71%), anogenital lesions (67%), and fever (67%). Twenty-seven percent of the patients were people living with HIV. In terms of coinfection with STIs, 27% of patients tested positive for gonorrhea, 12% for syphilis, 15% for chlamydia, 9% for herpes simplex virus, and 3% for hepatitis C virus.
The results shed light on unique challenges faced by the local sexual health clinic and call for more resources in response to the global emerging of infectious diseases.
2022 年 5 月，有国家报告出现了猴痘（以前称为猴痘）疫情，该疾病在这些国家并非地方性疾病，引起了全球的关注。马耳他是欧盟成员国中最小的国家，面临着独特的挑战，其感染率高于欧洲其他地区。本研究旨在描述在马耳他诊断出的猴痘患者的临床特征、诊断挑战和独特的人口统计学特征。
这是对 2022 年 5 月至 9 月期间记录的所有猴痘病例的病历进行的回顾性分析。调查了人口统计学数据、性行为和做法、旅行史、合并症和 HIV 状况。
在研究期间，我们记录了 33 例猴痘病例，其中 97%为男性，年龄在 30-39 岁（39%）。90%为男同性恋或双性恋者，76%非马耳他人。最常见的临床症状包括皮疹（78%）、淋巴结病（71%）、生殖器病变（67%）和发热（67%）。27%的患者携带人类免疫缺陷病毒。在性传播感染合并感染方面，27%的患者淋病检测呈阳性，12%梅毒检测呈阳性，15%衣原体检测呈阳性，9%单纯疱疹病毒检测呈阳性，3%丙型肝炎病毒检测呈阳性。
这些结果揭示了当地性健康诊所面临的独特挑战，并呼吁提供更多资源以应对全球新发传染病。
