Gastrointestinal Manifestation of MPox

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic illness caused by a virus that is part of the Orthopoxvirus family. Originally identified in humans in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970, the disease has been endemic in central African nations. In 2022, an outbreak of Monkeypox warranted a declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the virus was a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Prior literature documented the dermatological manifestations of the disease, but fewer papers have described and navigated the complexities of mpox gastrointestinal manifestations. We aim to update the current literature on the gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of mpox, through a review of the literature via PubMed search for English language papers reporting GI manifestations of the virus.

Recent Findings

Individual reports of symptomatic manifestations of mpox have been reported. Upper and lower GI symptoms have been described and, in multiple cases, required multidisciplinary team care to successfully treat the patients.

Summary

GI manifestations of mpox disease are reported in a variety of severities and, in some instances, may require multidisciplinary management.