New Cautionary Tales -- Out Of A Chinese Look Back, At Co-Infections -- HIV/AIDS, Together With Mpox...

The European Medical Journal latest reviews section offers some not-too-surprising post-hoc result out of China. The multiple burdens of these diseases would rather logically lead to increased rates of hospitalization, once a sufferer is co-afflicted with both viral loads.

In any event, here is that summary -- and a bit of it:

. . .A retrospective analysis from Hangzhou, China, examined 104 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases. . . and compared mpox-HIV coinfection with mpox monoinfection. The investigators also matched HIV monoinfection cases 1:1 with mpox-HIV coinfections to explore differences and potential risk factors.

Mpox-HIV coinfection was associated with greater symptom burden. Lesion pain was reported more often in coinfected patients than in those with mpox alone (67.39% versus 39.66%). All 27 hospitalizations in the cohort, including one intensive care admission, occurred in the coinfected group, highlighting a clear severity signal in this setting.

Most coinfected patients were already receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) (97.83%), yet immune suppression remained common. Up to 28.26% had CD4 positive T cell counts at or below 350 cells per microliter, and lower CD4 counts were associated with more severe clinical manifestations and higher hospitalization.

The study also identified behavioral factors that clustered with mpox-HIV coinfection. High risk sexual behaviors, including multiple sexual partners and frequent sexual activity, were associated with coinfection status. The authors argue these patterns support integrating surveillance and prevention strategies for HIV and mpox in higher risk groups. . . .

Onward to a nice dinner out with friends, tonight -- all done with the food poisoning. . . and onward to Music City mid-week, ahead -- whew.

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