Search

Background: During the 2022 global mpox outbreak, high prevalences of sexually transmitted infections (STI) have been reported, and sex or intimate contact was established as the main route of transmission. This study aims to compare demographic and clinical characteristics of mpox cases among people diagnosed with an active STI at mpox notification in Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data obtained from the Brazilian mpox national surveillance database. Probable and confirmed mpox cases 15 years of age or older, reported between June 07 and December 31, 2022, in Brazil, were included in this study. We used descriptive statistics to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of mpox cases diagnosed with at least one STI at the moment of mpox notification. We applied logistic regression models to determine the association between the analyzed characteristics and being diagnosed with an STI at mpox notification. Results: As of December 2022, a total of 10,169 cases of mpox aged 15 and over were identified in Brazil. The median age was 32 yo (IQR=27-38), 92,3% (9,386) were assigned as male at birth, 57,5% (5.844) self-described as MSM, and 10.8% (1,099) were diagnosed with at least one STI. The most frequent STIs were syphilis (n=587; 5.8%), genital herpes (n=252; 22.9%), chlamydia (n=45; 4.1%), and gonorrhea (n=43; 3.9%). Being male (OR=3.38; 95%CI:2.30-4.95), 25-34 yo (OR=2.36; 95%CI:1.60- 3.47), MSM (OR=2.20; 95%CI:1.70-2.85), and trans women (OR=5.66; 95%CI:2.56-12.54) were more likely to being diagnosed with an STI. Patients immunosuppressed (OR=2.30; 95%CI:2.02-2.75) and living with HIV (OR=2.22; 95%CI:1.94-2.55) were also associated with having an STI. Conclusion: Our results showed a high frequency of STIs among cases of mpox in Brazil. Screening for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis, and other STIs, as an offer of combined prevention measures, should be considered for persons evaluated for mpox. HIV care and HIV preexposure prophylaxis should also be offered to eligible persons. Furthermore, persons attending STI and HIV clinics need to be prioritized for mpox vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]