Mpox Prospective Observational Cohort Study (MPOCS)
About the Study
MPOCS is a 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).
Participants in MPOCS may consent to having their biological specimens stored in a biobank, housed at the Epidemic and Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC) at the University of Toronto.
Participants in MPOCS may also consent to having photographs of their symptoms added to an online Image Atlas. The MPOCS Image Atlas is a digital platform that aims to help community members and primary care providers recognize mpox lesions to aid in diagnosis and treatment. The image atlas includes a variety of photos of mpox lesions at different stages and on different skin tones, as well as links to a variety of other mpox educational resources.
MPOCS Biobank
The MPOCS Biobank consists of samples from participants who consented to biobank storage of their materials after participation in the main study. The purpose of the biobank is to store biological specimens for potential future testing related to mpox virus, co-infections, and the host response to mpox infection.
Completed request forms should be sent to optionslab@unityhealth.to
More information
MPOCS on clinicaltrials.gov
MPOCS Image Atlas
Funding
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.
Relevant Publications