Breaking Update: Here’s a clear explanation of the latest developments related to Breaking News:Mpox-HIV Coinfection and Severe Mpox Cases– What Just Happened and why it matters right now.
MPOX-HIV coinfection in MSM was linked to more severe symptoms and higher hospitalization, in Hangzhou case series of 104 patients.
Mpox-HIV Coinfection Shows Greater Clinical Severity
A retrospective analysis from Hangzhou, China, examined 104 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases among men who have sex with men and compared mpox-HIV coinfection with mpox monoinfection. The investigators also matched HIV monoinfection cases 1:1 with mpox-HIV coinfections to explore differences and potential risk factors.
Mpox-HIV coinfection was associated with greater symptom burden. Lesion pain was reported more often in coinfected patients than in those with mpox alone (67.39% versus 39.66%). All 27 hospitalizations in the cohort, including one intensive care admission, occurred in the coinfected group, highlighting a clear severity signal in this setting.
Low CD4 Counts and Sexual Behavior Linked to Mpox-HIV Coinfection
Most coinfected patients were already receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) (97.83%), yet immune suppression remained common. Up to 28.26% had CD4 positive T cell counts at or below 350 cells per microliter, and lower CD4 counts were associated with more severe clinical manifestations and higher hospitalization.
The study also identified behavioral factors that clustered with mpox-HIV coinfection. High risk sexual behaviors, including multiple sexual partners and frequent sexual activity, were associated with coinfection status. The authors argue these patterns support integrating surveillance and prevention strategies for HIV and mpox in higher risk groups.
Why This Matters for Clinicians
For U.S. clinicians, the report adds detail on how mpox may present and progress in patients living with HIV, particularly when immune recovery is incomplete. The concentration of hospitalizations among coinfected patients and the association with lower CD4 counts underscore the value of documenting HIV status and recent immune markers when evaluating suspected mpox, alongside careful assessment of pain and lesion distribution.
The authors note that mpox is often self-limiting, but coexisting immunocompromise can shape disease course, and they call for coordinated public health strategies that address both infections in populations experiencing overlapping risk.
Reference: Jin X et al. Retrospective Study of Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Mpox-HIV Coinfection in Men Who Have Sex with Men in Hangzhou, China. AIDS Behav. 2026;doi:10.1007/s10461-026-05068-8.