Rapid Testing for Monkeypox

To contain the U.S. monkeypox outbreak, establishing and expanding a testing network for efficient diagnosis is critical.

Monkeypox infection, caused by an Orthopoxvirus related to Variola virus (which causes smallpox), was imported to the U.S. from Africa sometime in 2021. Since then it has spread quickly, primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM; NEJM JW Infect Dis Aug 2022 and Lancet Infect Dis 2022 Jul 1; [e-pub]).

The CDC has identified hundreds of cases in collaboration with the national Laboratory Response Network (LRN; 68 laboratories authorized to perform a test that can identify non-variola Orthopoxvirus [NVO]). The LRN sites identify NVO with FDA-approved, real-time PCR testing, and the CDC confirms that this NVO is monkeypox virus. By June 2022, LRN laboratories had achieved a testing capacity of 8000 specimens weekly. Now, five large national…

Reviewing Author

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Stephen G. Baum, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardClinical Infectious Diseases

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsMedical Letter

Rapid Testing for Monkeypox

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Reviewing Author