Immunohistochemistry Test for Monkeypox Diagnosis

Following the announcement of the first confirmed case of monkeypox virus (MPXV) in the UK, confirmed or suspected cases have been found in several countries, with multiple chains of transmission likely. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of MPXV urgently need to be further advanced. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of skin lesions infected with MPXV is an important method for the diagnosis of MPXV. By providing our customers with excellent IHC service for many years, Creative Biolabs will provide you with the best and most comprehensive service in both regular and custom IHC services.

Immunohistochemistry of MPXV

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a technique to locate, qualitatively and quantitatively antigens in tissues and cells by the specific binding principle of antigen-antibody in immunology. IHC has the advantages of strong specificity, high sensitivity, and accurate localization. The initial symptoms of MPXV infection are rash and fever, accompanied by sweating and severe cold. Clinically, skin lesions develop from papules to blisters and pustules, and then to eschar regression. The inclusion body is a special structure in the cytoplasm or nucleus after virus infection, which is often used in the diagnosis of virus infection. Inclusion bodies vary in size and form, depending on the virus species, being single or multiple, acidophilic or basophilic. The inclusion body represents the synthesis site of virus particles, so it is also called virus factory or viroplasma. Nucleic acids and proteins of the virus can be found in the inclusion body, as well as aggregates of virions. IHC results of the diseased epidermis in patients with confirmed MPXV showed viral antigens in keratinocytes, epithelial cells, and a few dermal monocytes. In addition, the immunopositive protrusion shows the intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies of the spherical Guarneri type.

Fig.1. The anti-vaccinia antibody is detected in all affected keratinocytes. (Bayer-Garner, 2005)

Sample request of MPXV Immunohistochemistry Test

• The customer provides fixed tissue/tissue section/embedded wax block tissue.
• Tissue section thickness is less than 20 μm, usually 5 μm.
• Biopsy or surgically excised specimen should be sampled or fixed within 2 hours to avoid autolysis and antigen denaturation affecting the immunohistochemical results.
• Sampling should maintain the original structure and shape of the sample, and a sharp blade is used to avoid squeezing the tissue.
• In addition to sampling the lesion or the site containing the antigen to be examined, the junction between the lesion and the normal area is taken, that is, both antigen-positive and antigen-negative areas of the tissue section taken to form a self-comparison.
• The customer provides its own primary antibody for testing. The second antibody required for the test is provided by us

Highlights of MPXV Immunohistochemistry Test Services

• High resolution digital imaging.
• Provide image analysis and pathology assessment.
• Our technique can amplify the signal of staining even when the expression level of the target antigen is extremely low.

Creative Biolabs can provide a full range of IHC services from project design and marker selection to image completion and data analysis and also provide MPXV detection kits products that are related to IHC. We work closely with you at every step from antibody selection to image analysis and ensure customer satisfaction. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your IHC needs.

Reference

1. Bayer-Garner, I.B. Monkeypox virus: histologic, immunohistochemical and electron-microscopic findings. Journal Cutaneous Pathology. 2005, 32(1): 28-34.