Dynamics of viral DNA shedding and culture viral DNA positivity in different clinical samples collected during the 2022 mpox outbreak in Lombardy, Italy
Antonio Piralla , Davide Mileto , Alberto Rizzo , Guglielmo Ferrari , Federica Giardina , Stefano Gaiarsa , Greta Petazzoni , Micol Bianchi , Federica Salari , Fiorenza Bracchitta , Josè Camilla Sammartino , Alessandro Ferrari , Gloria Gagliardi , Alessandro Mancon , Claudio Fenizia , Mara Biasin , Francesca Rovida , Stefania Paolucci , Elena Percivalle , Alessandra Lombardi , Sara Piccinelli
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Mpox virus (MPXV) has recently spread outside of sub-Saharan Africa. This large multicentre study was conducted in Lombardy, the most densely populated Italian region accounting for more than 40% of Italian cases. The present study aims to: i) evaluate the presence and the shedding duration of MPXV DNA in different body compartments correlating the MPXV viability with the time to onset of symptoms; ii) provide evidence of MPXV persistence in different body compartment as a source of infection and iii) characterize the MPXV evolution by whole genome sequencing (WGS) during the outbreak occurred in Italy.
Material and methods
The study included 353 patients with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of MPXV infection screened in several clinical specimens in the period May 24th - September 1st, 2022. Viral isolation was attempted from different biological matrices and complete genome sequencing was performed for 61 MPXV strains.
Results
MPXV DNA detection was more frequent in the skin (94.4%) with the longest median time of viral clearance (16 days). The actively-replicating virus in cell culture was obtained for 123/377 (32.6%) samples with a significant higher viral quantity on isolation positive samples (20 vs 31, p < 0.001). The phylogenetic analysis highlighted the high genetic identity of the MPXV strains collected, both globally and within the Lombardy region.
Conclusion
Skin lesion is gold standard material and the high viral load and the actively-replicating virus observed in genital sites confirms that sexual contact plays a key role in the viral transmission.
期刊介绍:
Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease
Publication Scope:
Publishes original papers, reviews, and consensus papers
Primary theme: infectious disease in the context of travel medicine
Focus Areas:
Epidemiology and surveillance of travel-related illness
Prevention and treatment of travel-associated infections
Malaria prevention and treatment
Travellers' diarrhoea
Infections associated with mass gatherings
Migration-related infections
Vaccines and vaccine-preventable disease
Global policy/regulations for disease prevention and control
Practical clinical issues for travel and tropical medicine practitioners
Coverage:
Addresses areas of controversy and debate in travel medicine
Aims to inform guidelines and policy pertinent to travel medicine and the prevention of infectious disease
Publication Features:
Offers a fast peer-review process
Provides early online publication of accepted manuscripts
Aims to publish cutting-edge papers