Surveillance data from eight US jurisdictions found a high prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among people with monkeypox, a research team based at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported today.

In other developments, scientists from Europe today reported finding viable monkeypox viruses in anal and urethral samples from monkeypox patients, adding more evidence for a sexual transmission route, and the US government took more steps to expand testing and explore the efficacy of different vaccination strategies.

Hospitalizations higher in those with HIV

The HIV and STI findings came from an analysis of 1,969 monkeypox cases diagnosed between May 17 and Jul 22 at eight HIV surveillance jurisdictions. The team published their findings today in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

Of the group, 38% were infected with HIV and 41% had experienced an STI in the previous year. Also, 18% had both. Hospitalizations for monkeypox were more common in people with HIV.

People with HIV were more likely to report rectal pain and other rectal symptoms, which researchers said might relate to differences in site of exposure, increased susceptibility, or other factors, the group wrote.

The findings underscore the importance of leveraging systems for delivering HIV and STI care and prioritizing people with the two conditions for monkeypox vaccination. They also emphasized that those who haven't received routine HIV or STI care or those with milder symptoms might be less likely to have their monkeypox infections diagnosed. "It is important that health care providers who do not specialize in HIV or sexual health become familiar with the clinical guidance for monkeypox diagnosis and treatment," they wrote.