Mpox-Induced Proctitis.

Introduction: Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic virus in the genus Orthopoxvirus, which has a variable incubation period and an extensive array of symptoms. While those infected with Mpox have displayed generalized viral prodromal symptoms, atypical symptoms such as proctitis have also been seen. Proctitis associated with Mpox is a relatively infrequent initial presenting symptom with a reported incidence of 14-32.9% that has seen an uptick in prevalence since the 2022 global endemic. Case Presentation: We present a confirmed case of Mpox in a 27-year-old male who presented with 3 days of intermittent anorectal bleeding and various forms of cutaneous lesions at different stages of healing. He had engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse 8 days prior to the onset of his symptoms in New York, which at the time was the epicenter of the endemic. Computed tomography imaging showed thickening of the rectum with associated lymphadenopathy, consistent with findings of acute proctitis. Conclusion: The intent of this case report is to acknowledge the prevalence of the Mpox virus. Since the endemic, increased cases of Mpox have led to more complications that have been identified and studied by public health experts. The complication of proctitis due to Mpox in a certain subset of patients is important to fully understand that while this virus presents with a generalized prodrome like other viruses, these unique gastrointestinal presentations and findings may be the first step in identifying this infection and ensuring rapid treatment if future endemics arrive.

An Essential Role of Maspin in Embryogenesis and Tumor Suppression.

Maspin (SerpinB5) is an epithelial-specific tumor suppressor gene product that displays context-dependent cellular functions. Maspin-deficient mouse models created to date have not definitively established maspin functions critical for cancer suppression. In this study, we generated a mouse strain in which exon 4 of the Maspin gene was deleted, confirming its essential role in development but also enabling a breeding scheme to bypass embryonic lethality. Phenotypic characterization of this viable strain established that maspin deficiency was associated with a reduction in maximum body weight and a variety of context-dependent epithelial abnormalities. Specifically, maspin-deficient mice exhibited pulmonary adenocarcinoma, myoepithelial hyperplasia of the mammary gland, hyperplasia of luminal cells of dorsolateral and anterior prostate, and atrophy of luminal cells of ventral prostate and stratum spinosum of epidermis. These cancer phenotypes were accompanied by increased inflammatory stroma. These mice also displayed the autoimmune disorder alopecia aerate. Overall, our findings defined context-specific tumor suppressor roles for maspin in a clinically relevant model to study maspin functions in cancer and other pathologies. Cancer Res; 77(4); 886-96. ©2017 AACR.