Monkeypox

Monkeypox virus of the genus Orthopox in the family Poxviridae is a double-stranded DNA virus and is the causative agent of monkeypox. Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients. Symptoms include skin eruption, fever, intense headache, myalgia and intense asthenia. In rare cases, death has been reported after an infection with Monkeypox virus.

The WHO currently recommends Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as the preferred laboratory test given its accuracy and sensitivity. For this, optimal diagnostic samples for monkeypox are from skin lesions – the roof or fluid from vesicles and pustules, and dry crusts. Lesion samples must be kept/stored cool in a dry, sterile tube (no virus transport medium) and shipped.

Immundiagnostik AG offers MutaPLEX® Monkeypox virus real time PCR Kit for the qualitative detection of the nucleic acid of Monkeypox virus in eluates from biological specimens. This kit offers:

• very sensitive detection of monkeypox virus DNA (< 2.5 genome copies per µl)
• additional differentiation to other orthopox viruses like vaccinia virus
• a fast PCR (< 1.5 hours run time)

The kit is for reasearch use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.