Results of an interventional HIV testing programme in the context of a mpox (formerly monkeypox) vaccination campaign in Latium Region, Italy, August to October 2022

Silvia Pittalis; Valentina Mazzotta; Nicoletta Orchi; Isabella Abbate; Roberta Gagliardini; Elisabetta Gennaro; Augusto Faticoni; Pierluca Piselli; Gabriella Rozera; Stefania Cicalini; Fabrizio Maggi; Enrico Girardi; Francesco Vaia; Andrea Antinori; Vincenzo Puro

doi:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.48.2200890

Results of an interventional HIV testing programme in the context of a mpox (formerly monkeypox) vaccination campaign in Latium Region, Italy, August to October 2022

Euro Surveill. 2022 Dec;27(48):2200890. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.48.2200890.

Authors

Affiliation

¹ National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani - IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

PMID: 36695459
PMCID: PMC9716645
DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.48.2200890

Abstract

HIV testing was offered to 2,185 people receiving mpox (formerly monkeypox) vaccination, who reported not being HIV positive. Among them 390 were current PrEP users, and 131 had taken PrEP in the past. Of 958 individuals consenting testing, six were newly diagnosed with HIV. Two patients had symptomatic primary HIV infection. None of the six patients had ever taken PrEP. Mpox vaccination represents an important opportunity for HIV testing and counselling about risk reduction and PrEP.

Keywords: HIV infection; monkeypox virus (MPOXV); public health policy; sexually transmitted infections.

MeSH terms

Counseling
HIV Infections* / diagnosis
HIV Infections* / prevention & control
HIV Testing
Homosexuality, Male
Humans
Immunization Programs
Male
Mpox (monkeypox)*
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis* / methods