Heads Up — Encephalomyelitis Associated with Monkeypox

Two cases of encephalomyelitis have been reported in men with concurrent acute monkeypox infection.

The ongoing monkeypox (MPX) outbreak now involves cases across the U.S., primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM). Recently, two encephalomyelitis cases in MSM with acute MPX infection were reported. Both patients were previously healthy, in their 30s, presumably immunocompetent, and presented with fever, chills, and malaise that progressed to vesiculopustular rashes testing positive for MPX DNA.

Nine days after symptom onset, Patient A developed left extremity weakness with numbness, urinary retention, and priapism. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed evidence of demyelination in the frontal lobes and lesions in the basal ganglia, medial thalami, splenium, pons, and evidence of prior damage in the spinal cord as well as acute p…

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

Heads Up — Encephalomyelitis Associated with Monkeypox

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Reviewing Author