Monkey pox (monkeypox) is the most important Orthopoxvirus infection in humans since the eradication of smallpox in 1980. In 2022, there was a worrying increase in the cases of monkeypox in humans, including in non-endemic countries, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the disease as an international public health emergency.This epidemic outbreak spread rapidly between continents and presented epidemiological changes, with prevalence among men who have sex with men (HSH) with a mean age of 38 years and in urban areas, characteristics not previously observed (RODRIGUES et al., 2022).
In addition to the typical clinical manifestations, such as vesicopustular lesions and lymph node enlargement, cases with atypical manifestations and secondary complications, such as encephalitis and myocarditis, have been reported. Encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, can occur in patients with monkeypox, especially in children and immunocompromised individuals. Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, has also been observed as a rare complication of infection, and may lead to heart failure in some cases.
The mechanisms involved in these complications are not yet fully elucidated, and it is essential to monitor patients and conduct further studies to understand the pathogenicity of smallpox in monkeys. Early and accurate diagnosis, isolation of patients and the use of antivirals and vaccines are important measures for disease control and prevention of complications (RODRIGUES et al., 2022).
Refereencia:
RODRIGUES, Fabiano de Abreu Agrela; SUTERIO, Delila Gianini; YANO, Roberto Kazushigue. Monkey smallpox: Heart and neurological problems. Pedagogical Notebook, v. 19, no. 1, pp. 41-58, 2022. ISSN 1983-0882. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22410/issn.1983-0882.v19i1a2022.1419.
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