# Mpox-HIV co-infection in the mpox treatment centre in Kokolo Health District, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, November 2024 to March 2025

## TL;DR

This study examines the prevalence of mpox-HIV co-infection in a treatment center in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, finding a notable rate and highlighting the need for combined disease management.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the prevalence and characteristics of mpox-HIV co-infection in a specific geographic region.

## Key findings

- A 9.32% prevalence of mpox-HIV co-infection was found among 118 confirmed mpox patients.
- Co-infected patients showed higher rates of skin lesions and longer hospital stays compared to non-co-infected patients.
- Most co-infections occurred through sexual contact, and cases of severe disease increased with delayed diagnosis.

## Abstract

mpox infection is an emerging zoonosis with a significant impact on public health. HIV is an infection that often causes a decline in the immunity of patients. In the event of mpox-HIV co-infection, patients see their immunity drop further. In addition to the classic clinical manifestations, patients with mpox-HIV co-infection can develop severe forms of the disease. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of cases of mpox-HIV co-infection among people living with mpox in the mpox Treatment Centre (MpoxTC) in Kokolo Health District.

this is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the MpoxTC of the Kokolo Health District, from November 26, 2024, to March 11, 2025. Exhaustive sampling was used with 118 mpox-confirmed patients. Excel 2019 was used for the data entry, and Epi Info 7.2.6.0 was used for statistical analyses, including Chi-square and Student t tests to explore associations between variables.

the study revealed a prevalence of 9.32% mpox-HIV coinfection 11/118, with all infections occurring through sexual contact. In total, mpox-VIH co-infected patients were distributed in 7 health areas (HAs), of which 71.43% (5/7) were urban HAs and 28.57% (2/7) were peri-urban HAs. A prolonged duration of hospitalization (>10 days) concerned 55.09% or 65/118 mpox cases, of which 8/11 cases of mpox-HIV co-infection of coinfected patients, and 94.90% (112/118) of mpox patients had skin lesions, of which 90.90% (10/11) were cases of mpox-HIV co-infection. There has also been a gradual increase in cases of severe and critical forms of mpox-HIV co-infection over time following late diagnosis.

these results highlight the need for systematic HIV screening in all cases of mpox to exclude any case of mpox-HIV coinfection for holistic management of both diseases. Mpox can now be considered as one of the opportunistic infections of HIV. Preventive measures, including awareness and education of mpox patients, especially on mpox-HIV coinfection, are essential to reduce the number of mpox deaths in the MpoxTC of the Kokolo Health District.