Electron Microscopy Test for Monkeypox Diagnosis

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) has been rapidly emerging in non-endemic countries since May 2022. Due to the small size of viruses, the traditional optical microscope is often unable to meet the needs of morphological observation, which makes the high resolution electron microscope become an important method of virology research, which can be used to study the structure and composition of viruses. With many years of experience in electron microscopy, Creative Biolabs is able to provide its customers with MPXV electron microscopy technology services to help customers accelerate the research process of MPXV.

The morphology of MPXV

Monkeypox is a rare, sporadic, acute infectious disease caused by MPXV. MPXV is an orthopoxvirus of the same family as the smallpox virus. Human cases of MPXV infection were first confirmed in Africa in 1970. At present, MPXV may be expanding its geographical reach and increasing its transmission capacity. Electron microscopes provide up to 1,000 times more resolution than ordinary light microscopes, allowing visualization of virus research. To distinguish MPXV from herpes viruses, electron microscopy is used to diagnose MPXV on a morphological basis. Under electron microscopy, MPXV particles are brick-shaped or oval, with a size of 200nm×250nm and an envelope. The viral particles contain structural proteins and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

Fig.1. Transmission electron microscopy and cell culture–based diagnosis of monkeypox in patient in Israel, 2018. (Erez, 2019)

Transmission electron microscopy

Electron microscopes can be divided into transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, reflection electron microscope, and emission electron microscope by structure and use. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is commonly used to diagnose MPXV. TEM works in the same way as ordinary optical microscopes, but with finer resolution (0.1 ~ 0.2nm), it takes advantage of the shorter de Broglie wavelength of electrons as particles. TEM projects an accelerated and concentrated electron beam onto a very thin sample. Electrons collide with atoms in the sample and change direction, resulting in solid Angle scattering. The scattering Angle is related to the density and thickness of the sample, so different light and shade images can be formed. The image will be magnified and focused and displayed on the imaging device.

Highlights of Electron Microscopy Test for Monkeypox Diagnosis Services

• Accurately observing the size and morphology of virus particles using our TEM service.
• Very efficient, high quality images with high definition.
• The virus particles are identified and characterized by our negative staining technical service.

Creative Biolabs is committed to scientific research related to viruses. Our trained electron microscope experts help you detect and quantify virus particles in samples. For more information about our electron microscope services, please contact us.

Reference

1. Erez, N.; Achdout, H.; et al. Diagnosis of Imported Monkeypox, Israel, 2018. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2019, 25(5): 980-983.