Monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection is characterized by cutaneous lesions, primarily found in men who have sex with men (MSM). However, the hypothesis that monkeypox may be a sexually transmitted disease was questioned due to the global surge in cases. A recent study by French researchers identified asymptomatic men with no cutaneous lesions to be infected with the virus. A total of 706 MSM were assessed during the study period.
Researchers screened 383 individuals with MPXV symptoms, of which 271 were confirmed to have the infection. Out of the 323 MSM with no MPXV symptoms, 213 had anal swabs collected, and MPXV chain reaction was performed on 200 of the 213 anal swabs and was found to be positive in 13 samples. None of the participants testing positive for MPXV showed any symptoms. In addition, three of the 187 participants who initially tested negative for MPXV presented to the clinic…
