Italy: First case of monkeypox, Covid-19 and HIV detected | Science and Technology

A 36-year-old Italian man is the first documented case of the virus monkeypox virusand SARS-CoV-2 and HIV. According to the researchers who documented the condition, this infection can overlap, especially in high-risk individuals.

The report published in Infection Journal, states that the Italian man was in Spain between June 16 and 20, where he had unprotected sex with other men. Nine days later, he developed a fever (up to 39°C, 102°F), and suffered from sore throats, fatigue, headaches, and swollen glands. On July 2, he tested positive SARS-CoV-2The virus that causes Covid-19.

“The same afternoon, a rash began to appear on his left arm. The next day small painful vesicles surrounded by an erythematous halo appeared on the trunk, lower extremities, face and buttocks. On July 5, due to the gradual and uninterrupted spread of the vesicles that began to develop into navel pustules, he went to The emergency department of the Policlinico “G. The researchers reported that Rodolico-San Marco “University Hospital in Catania, Italy, and was later transferred to the Infectious Diseases Unit”.

In hospital in Catania, he tested positive for monkeypox. The study also showed that the man tested positive for HIV, and based on his CD4 lymphocyte count (an indicator of the immune response), “we can assume that the infection was relatively recent.”

The report continues: “This case highlights how monkeypox and Covid-19 symptoms overlap, and underscores how, in the case of co-infection, sperm collection and sexual habits are critical to making a correct diagnosis.” Hence, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and monkeypox virus, particularly in people with a recent history of travel to monkeypox outbreak areas. If monkeypox is suspected, an oral and pharyngeal swab should be performed even in the absence of cutaneous manifestations where the skin may be avoided, but infection of the oral or rectal mucosa may be present.”

The study adds that there is not yet enough evidence to conclude that co-infection of these three viruses can worsen the patient’s condition.

According to the article, the case “confirms that sexual contact can be the predominant mode of transmission of disease.” Monkeypox virus. However, the virus can also be transmitted “through close contact with infectious material from skin lesions, membranes, seminal fluid and oral and pharyngeal secretions”. Monkeypox virus currently causes the greatest casualties among men who have sex with men, with 98% of global cases recorded among this group. However, anyone exposed to the virus may become infected.