Tecovirimat Against Clade I MPXV Infection — Does This Antiviral Make a Difference?

In a placebo-controlled study of tecovirimat for treating mpox in the DRC, there were no significant between-group differences in lesion resolution or adverse events.

Since the global mpox outbreak in 2022, no new relevant drugs have been developed; thus, healthcare providers have relied on the antiviral tecovirimat (originally developed against smallpox) when caring for patients infected with MPXV. Now, investigators in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) report the results of a placebo-controlled trial of tecovirimat for treating clade I MPXV infection.

Among 295 tecovirimat recipients and 302 placebo recipients, time to resolution of skin lesions showed no significant differences between groups. This outcome also did not differ between those who started treatment early (<7 days after onset of lesions) or later. In general, the case fatality rate was lower (1.7%) than that recorded in a previous surv…

Reviewing Author

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Tecovirimat Against Clade I MPXV Infection — Does This Antiviral Make a Difference?

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Reviewing Author