Should we be concerned about treating mpox patients in orthopaedic surgery? A narrative review

Background: The Mpox virus, is a zoonotic viral infection that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus and the poxviridae class. Infections caused by the orthopoxvirus can either be local or generalised disease. Once exposed the virus will enter the body through broken skin(cutaneous inoculation), mucous...

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Main Authors: Collen Sandile Nkosi, Yenziwe Sibongokuhle Mbambo, Lunga Gadala, Putso Learn Motubatse, Thabo Leonard Muhango
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773157X25000049
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Summary:Background: The Mpox virus, is a zoonotic viral infection that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus and the poxviridae class. Infections caused by the orthopoxvirus can either be local or generalised disease. Once exposed the virus will enter the body through broken skin(cutaneous inoculation), mucous membranes (mouth, eyes) or the respiratory tract. Historically, case fatality rates (CFRs) have been published for each clade; CFRs for Clade I and II have been reported to be >10 % and 1–5%, respectively. Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the existing literature on Mpox and to consolidate the associated risk factors, causes and orthopaedic management strategies. Results: Studies done in Nigeria and central Africa highlighted contact with wild life (i.e hunting) as significant risk factor for Mpox.The Mpox has an incubation period of 7–14, that can also range between from 5 to 21 days. The correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hand hygiene and patient isolation remain as fundamental ways to prevent pathogen spread. It is highly crucial that all elective orthopaedic procedures should be deferred for patients with suspected or confirmed Mpox until the patient is deemed no longer contagious or typically asymptomatic, and skin lesions have disappeared. Conclusion: Future research must investigate the correlation between Mpox and orthopaedic surgery. New standardized orthopaedic surgical guidelines should be developed for its treatment.
ISSN:2773-157X