Retrospective Screening of Clinical Samples for Monkeypox Virus DNA, California, USA, 2022

Abstract

We retrospectively screened oropharyngeal and rectal swab samples originally collected in California, USA, for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae testing for the presence of monkeypox virus DNA. Among 206 patients screened, 17 (8%) had samples with detectable viral DNA. Monkeypox virus testing from mucosal sites should be considered for at-risk patients.

Keywords

• mpox
• monkeypox virus
• viruses
• sexually transmitted infections
• zoonoses
• orthopoxvirus