Pilot Study to Detect Monkey Pox Virus in Sperm: POXSPERM

Since May 2022, a total of 16 000 new cases of Monkey Pox Virus infection has been reported in 76 non-endemic countries. The WHO has declared this epidemic as a public health emergency. Principal routes of transmission are direct skin or mucosa contact or aerosol transmission. The current epidemic mainly affects men having sexual relations with others men and men reporting having recent sexual relations with new or multiple partners. We may wonder if there is a risk of transmission during an intercourse. Moreover, Monkey pox virus infection in human testicle has not been studied yet. Among viruses that infect human semen, some viruses can persist for several months or even years in the semen of cured men. In this context, we propose a research project about the pathophysiology of MPXV in the male genital tract by a clinical approach. Men with a diagnosis of MPXV infection confirmed by a positive PCR and who agreed to be included as volunteer will go to CECOS at Paule de Viguier Hospital, Purpan. Each patient will take a semen and urine sample, have a blood sample and a saliva sample, and a skin sample in case of a lesion; the earliest after the confirmation of the diagnosis of the infection (before the 7th day, the days will be noted) then on Day 15, Day 30, Day 60, Day 90 and Day 180.