No evidence of asymptomatic monkeypox infection in a highly sexually active MSM population in Austria

Abstract

Background: The 2022 outbreak of monkeypox virus (MPXV) revealed new transmission routes. Incidence declined sharply in September 2022, and it remains unclear whether MPXV is circulating in asymptomatic individuals because of increased immunity. Objectives: Our study aimed to assesss the number of asymtomatic MPXV carriers in individuals at high risk for STI. Methods: We analysed anal samples from asymptomatic highly sexually active men who have sex with men for the presence of MPXV. Results: We detected a high number of concomitant sexually transmitted infections but did not find a single sample with MPXV. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the general recommendation to implement screening for MPXV is not currently justified.