Monkeypox may cause neurological damage in small subset of patients

London, Sep 14 (Prensa Latina) Monkeypox's effect on the skin and the flu-like symptoms have been well described, but few have investigated the neurological and psychiatric problems the virus might cause, according to a specialized source.

Monkeypox virus can lead to neurologic complications such as brain inflammation, confusion or convulsions, said experts from the University College of London.

Although work is being done to see how this problem evolves in current outbreak of monkeypox, there are evidence that many patients have been affected in previous years, according to the eClinicalMedicine journal.

Specialists claimed that we rarely see cases with such complications, but there is enough evidence to justify the concern.

Pooling data from a subset of studies with relevant evidence, researchers estimated that 2.7% of monkeypox patients experienced at least one seizure and 2.4% experienced confusion.

Only 2% had encephalitis, a serious brain inflammation condition that can lead to long-term disability, scientists cautioned.

“There is also evidence that mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are relatively common in people with monkeypox,” the experts commented.