Mpox Laboratory Information

Key points

  • Measures should be taken to minimize the risk of laboratory transmission when testing routine clinical specimens from confirmed or suspected mpox patients.
  • These may include limiting the number of staff testing specimens, avoiding any procedures that could generate infectious aerosols, and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment while taking other precautions consistent with adherence to Isolation Precautions.
A laboratorian works at a microscope in full PPE

Laboratory guidelines

Procedures

Reporting Results from Orthopoxvirus, Non-Variola Orthopoxvirus, and Mpox Virus Diagnostic Testing
How to report mpox test results from diagnostic testing
Biosafety Laboratory Guidance for Handling and Processing Mpox Specimens
Laboratory guidance for handling and processing mpox specimens

Real-time PCR assays

MPXV TNF Receptor Gene Deletion May Lead to False Negative Results with Some MPXV Specific LDTs
CDC’s gateway to interact with U.S. clinical laboratories. Currently, LOCS is a functional CDC mailb...
Non-variola Orthopoxvirus Generic Real-Time PCR Test Procedure
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Mpox Generic PCR Protocol
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Download
Real-Time PCR Assays for the Specific Detection of Mpox Virus West African and Congo Basin Strain DNA
Detection of Mpox Virus with Real-Time PCR Assays

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
Donning and Doffing PPE: Proper Wearing, Removal, and Disposal
Photo by Getty Images Donning means to put on and use PPE properly to achieve the intended protectio...

Resources

Specimen Collection and Transport Guidelines for Suspect Smallpox Vaccine Adverse Events
Smallpox Specimen Packaging and Shipping
III. Precautions to Prevent Transmission of Infectious Agents
Isolation Precautions Part III. Precautions
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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)