Monkeypox Virus DNA, Qualitative Real-Time PCR Monkeypox virus
Monkeypox disease can be defined as a prodrome including fever, headache, muscle aches, and lymphadenopathy, followed by the development of a characteristic rash culminating in a firm, deep-seated, well-circumscribed, and sometimes umbilicated lesions. The rash usually starts on the face or in the oral cavity and progresses through several synchronized stages on each affected area and concentrates on the face and extremities, including lesions on the soles and palms. The infection usually resolves in 2 to 4 weeks. However, monkeypox symptoms can be severe in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV.
Clinical background
Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by a DNA virus “ Monkeypox virus(MPXV)” which belongs to the orthopoxvirus genus. MPVX has been identified with two different clades, the Congo Basin clade (Clade I) and the West African clade (Clade II). The clinical presentation of monkeypox might be similar to some STIs, such as syphilis, herpes, and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV).
Transmission of the MPXV
Any person, irrespective of sexual orientation, or gender identity can acquire and spread monkeypox. In the 2022 outbreak, many of the reported cases in the United States are among gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (MSM). Close contact, sustained skin-to-skin contact including sexual contact, with a person with monkeypox are the most significant risk factors associated with human-to-human transmission of the Monkeypox virus.
Other routes of transmission include respiratory secretions, fomites, mother-to-fetus, and infected animals. Patients with signs/symptoms characteristic of monkeypox (rash with bumps or blisters on or around genitals, hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, or anus), with or without preceding systemic prodrome (eg, head, back, and muscle aches; chills; fatigue; fever; swollen lymph nodes) Probable and confirmed case-patients should remain in isolation for the duration of their infectious period (i.e., until the scabs have fallen off, all lesions have resolved, a fresh layer of intact skin has formed).
CDC provides a two-step protocol requiring two swabs from the same lesion, One swab specimen is tested with a real-time PCR assay targeting NVO DNA. If this test is positive, the second specimen is sent to the CDC for confirmation with a real-time PCR assay that specifically targets MPXV DNA.