Mpox Prospective Observational Cohort Study
MPOCS is an ongoing multicentre cohort study that seeks to expand our understanding of the clinical presentation, psychosocial impact, epidemiologic characteristics and presence of the virus in body fluids related to mpox infection. Confirmed and probable mpox cases are followed up weekly with questionnaires, and samples are taken from the blood, urine, nasopharynx, throat, rectum, skin, semen or vagina (as appropriate) and breast milk (if applicable). An optional study component includes environmental surface sampling and air sampling in connection with study visits. People can be enrolled either during the initial (acute) stages of illness or during the weeks after their initial recovery (convalescent). Current versions of key study documents are provided below.
Biological specimens from participants in the MPOCS study will be stored in a biobank, housed at the Epidemic and Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC) at the University of Toronto. The governance of the biobank and uses of the biobank specimens are outlined in the governance document below.
This work is funded by grants from the University of Toronto Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC), the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (grant number 184812).
Please find links to relevant publications below:
