Russia has patented a new test system for rapid diagnosis of monkeypox. The development by scientists from the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector" allows detecting the virus not only in the laboratory but also in a "point-of-care" format – without complex equipment. The main difference of the test is that it should quickly detect the monkeypox virus specifically and not confuse it with other similar infections.
The authors of the development note that previous diagnostic methods had serious limitations. They could confuse monkeypox with other similar viruses – for example, smallpox or cowpox. This happened because antibodies reacted to several viruses at once.
Some tests performed worse after sample decontamination, could erroneously show a positive result, or lost accuracy if the virus weakly bound to reagents.
The key element of the new system is an antibody that specifically recognizes the monkeypox virus and does not react to other similar viruses. In other words, the test should "see" the target virus but not confuse it with structurally similar infections.
Another important part of the test is a special reagent that helps detect the virus in the sample. In it, the antibody that recognizes monkeypox is combined with the enzyme peroxidase. Simply put, the antibody "latches" onto the target virus, and the enzyme helps make this result visible and clearer.
Together with other elements of the test system, this provides a fast and accurate way to detect the monkeypox virus. Moreover, the development can be used even in conditions where there is no complex laboratory equipment.
The test system was verified in a series of experiments. Vector specialists confirmed that the antibody binds only to a unique part of the monkeypox virus protein and does not react to similar viruses.
The system was then tested on blood samples, swabs, and scrapings from patients suspected of having monkeypox. The results matched those of PCR diagnostics. The test showed high accuracy, operability in laboratory conditions and in a "point-of-care" format, as well as stability during storage and transportation.
Monkeypox is a rare viral disease. Symptoms include fever, intoxication, enlarged lymph nodes, and a rash of spots, which later form vesicles. When these vesicles rupture, ulcers appear.
The virus is transmitted to humans from wild animals, including rodents and primates. Human-to-human transmission is also possible. In mild cases, the disease resolves on its own and lasts from two to three weeks.