Prevalence, characteristics, and clinical course of mpox-related ophthalmic disease (MBOTE-EYE): a prospective cohort study in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Systematic longitudinal ophthalmologist-led assessment of mpox-related ophthalmic disease (MPOXROD) is rarely reported. We aimed to characterise the prevalence and clinical course of MPOXROD under supportive management during a clade Ib outbreak.

Methods

MBOTE-EYE was a substudy nested within a prospective cohort in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. All hospitalised patients with PCR-confirmed mpox (within the last 48 h) were eligible. Participants underwent ophthalmological examination at enrolment, discharge, and days 29 and 59. Conjunctival swabs were collected for monkeypox virus PCR. Risk factors for MPOXROD were assessed using mixed-effects Poisson regression.

Findings

Between Oct 28, 2024, and June 30, 2025, 310 participants were enrolled

SUBMITTER: Kabesha T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC13646179 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature