Monkeypox cases
Do you need a PCR test to detect monkeypox virus for your research?
The Monkeypox Virus TaqMan Microbe Detection Assay is designed to detect viral DNA from lesions. The assay and consumables are available for order.
With public health officials tracking more than 16,000 cases of confirmed or suspected monkeypox outside Central and West African countries, the WHO Director-General has “determined the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox constitutes of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.”1
Presently, infected persons do not have a history of direct travel to endemic countries in Africa though contact tracing may reveal indirect travel connections among cases.
Public health labs respond to monkeypox virus
Both sequencing samples and contact tracing of confirmed cases are in process. Investigations by the US CDC, WHO, and the UK Health Security Agency are underway.2
For the most up-to-date information, please see the CDC Situation Summary on the Monkeypox outbreak.
WHO prefers detection of viral DNA by PCR as antigen- and antibody-based methods typically do not distinguish between Orthopoxviruses. Specimens directly from the rash—skin, fluid or crusts, or biopsy where feasible—are preferred.3
Thermo Fisher is collaborating with several Biosafety level-4 (BSL4) labs in Europe and Africa in order to research monkeypox viral DNA by PCR using the TaqMan Microbe Detection Assay. Ongoing research of the virus is important to conduct epidemiological and genetic surveillance.
Recommended Ordering Information
| Sample Collection | |
| MicroTestTM M4RT 3mL w/o Beads NP Swab Kit Use without the VTM (Dry swab, lesion) |
R12705 |
| MicroTestTM M4RT 3mL w/o Beads NP Swab Kit Swab with VTM (Swab with VTM, lesions) |
R12705 |
| Nucleic Acid Purification Reagent | |
| PureLinkTM Viral RNA/DNA Mini Kit (Protocol) | 12280050 |
| MagMAXTM Viral/Pathogen II (MVP II) Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit (Automated extraction) | A48383R |
| Nucleic Acid Purification Automation (optional) | |
| KingFisherTM Flex Purification System (VTM automation) | 5400630 |
| Master Mix | |
| Recommended: TaqPathTM BactoPureTM Microbial Detection Master mix, no ROX (Protocol) | A25704 |
| TaqPathTM 1-Step Multiplex Master Mix (No ROX, Protocol) | A28522 |
| Assay — Worldwide | |
| For the assay scale below, use assay ID | Vi07922155_s1 |
| TaqMan Monkeypox Virus Microbe Detection Assay (Protocol) | A50137 |
| Controls — Worldwide | |
| GeneArt (ordered as a service) | A50319 |
| Controls — United States only | |
| AcroMetrixTM Monkeypox Virus DNA Positive Control (RUO) | 902050 |
What is monkeypox virus (MPX or MPXV)?
- Monkeypox is a DNA virus endemic to Central and West African countries.
- An Orthopoxvirus, monkeypox is part of the genus of viruses that cause diseases like smallpox. It is associated with skin lesions and lymph node swelling among other symptoms.
- Tropical rainforest animals including rodents and non-human primates are the primary carriers of monkeypox.
- There are two distinct clades of MPXV, a West African clade and a Congo Basin clade. People infected by virus from the Congo Basin/Central African clade experience approximately 10% case fatality rate while those infected by the West African clade experience a <4% case fatality rate.4
For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Sources
- https://www.who.int/news/item/23-07-2022-second-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-(ihr)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-multi-country-outbreak-of-monkeypox
- https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2022-DON385
- https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-MPX-laboratory-2022.1
- https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2022-DON385#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20clades%20of,of%20the%20Congo%20in%201970.
© 2022 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of Thermo Fisher Scientific and its subsidiaries unless otherwise specified. TaqMan is a registered trademark of Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., used under permission and license.
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