PCR Test for Monkeypox Diagnosis

In response to the increasing global spread of monkeypox virus (MPXV), Creative Biolabs, as a global leader in molecular and genetic testing, offers PCR tests specifically for MPXV to help researchers rapidly develop mechanisms of infection and drug discovery for MPXV. You can also find some related MPXV detection kit products here.

Nucleic acid detection of MPXV

Accurate detection of MPXV is the cornerstone of early case identification, rapid differential diagnosis, effective treatment and containment of virus transmission. The MPXV genome is a double-stranded DNA with a length of about 197KB. Rapid diagnosis of MPXV infection can be achieved by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect MPXV DNA specifically by molecular amplification of viral nucleic acid. The basic principle of PCR is to simulate the replication process of DNA in the body by controlling temperature changes by taking advantage of the properties of double-stranded DNA that can dischain at high temperature and bind at low temperature. Creative Biolabs scientists compare genes of a virus in large numbers to get a common conserved sequence. Specific primers are designed according to the sequence and corresponding fragments are obtained by PCR amplification to detect low concentration of viral nucleic acid in samples. PCR samples for the diagnosis of MPXV are obtained from rashes, blister fluid, crusts, oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal secretions, etc. Therefore, rapid and specific early screening diagnosis of MPXV can be made by PCR in a short period of time.

Fig.1. The PCR temperature cycle. (Kubista, 2006)

Quantitative real-time PCR for MPXV

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) has the advantages of rapid, high throughput and high sensitivity, and has realized a leap from qualitative detection to quantitative detection. The key of qPCR is to add fluorescent substances into classical PCR, and realize real-time monitoring of PCR process through real-time detection of fluorescence intensity (in a certain range, the fluorescence intensity and the number of templates in a positive linear relationship). Theoretically, if there's one virus, it can be detected. Therefore, qPCR is suitable for early diagnosis. Moreover, qPCR can target specific regions in the genetic material of the virus, so it is highly specific. Once the nucleic acid of the virus is detected, it can be judged to be positive. Detection of MPXV specific gene fragments by qPCR can accurately identify MPXV and facilitate accurate diagnosis and research of MPXV.

Fig.2. The dependences of fluorescence signal on the number of cycles in multiplex real-time PCR. (Shchelkunov, 2011)

Creative Biolabs provides a one-stop PCR service for monkeypox virus testing. Our professional team has rich experience in nucleic acid extraction and primer design, which can achieve high throughput nucleic acid detection. Please feel free to contact us to further discuss your scientific experiments and help you take your research one step further.

References

1. Kubista, M.; et al. The real-time polymerase chain reaction. Molecular Aspects of Medicine. 2006, 27(2-3): 95-125.
2. Shchelkunov, S.N.; et al. Species-specific identification of variola, monkeypox, cowpox, and vaccinia viruses by multiplex real-time PCR assay. Journal of Virological Methods. 2011, 175(2): 163-169.