Monkeypox Diagnosis in Clinical Settings: A Comprehensive Review of Best Laboratory Practices

An outbreakOutbreak of monkeypox (Mpox) was reported in more than 40 countries in early 2022. Accurate diagnosisDiagnosis of MpoxMpox can be challenging, but history, clinical findings, and laboratory diagnosisDiagnosis can establish the diagnosisDiagnosis. The pre-analytic phase of testing includes collecting, storing, and transporting specimens. It is advised to swabSwabs the lesionLesion site with virusVirus transport medium (VTM) containing Dacron or polyester flock swabsSwabs from two different sites. BloodBlood, urine, and semen samples may also be used. Timely sampling is necessary to obtain a sufficient amountAmount of virusVirus or antibodiesAntibodies. The analytical phaseAnalytical phase of infectious disease controlDisease control involves diagnostic toolsDiagnostic tools to determine the presencePresence of the virusVirus. While polymerase chain reaction (PCRPolymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)) is the gold standardGold standard for detecting MpoxMpox, genome sequencingGenome sequencing is for identifying new or modified viruses. As a complement to these methods, isothermal amplificationIsothermal amplification methods have been designed. ELISAElisaassaysAssay are also available for the determination of antibodiesAntibodies. Electron microscopyElectron microscopy is another effective diagnosticDiagnostics method for tissue identification of the virusVirus. Wastewater fingerprintingWastewater fingerprinting provides some of the most effective diagnosticDiagnostics methods for virusVirus identification at the community level. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods are further discussed. Post-analytic phase requires properProper interpretation of test results and the preparation of accurate patient reportsPatient reports that include relevant medical history, clinical guidelines, and recommendations for follow-up testing or treatmentTreatment.