Mpox diagnostics: Review of current and emerging technologies

Chuan Kok Lim; Jason Roberts; Michael Moso; Kwee Chin Liew; Mona L Taouk; Eloise Williams; Thomas Tran; Eike Steinig; Leon Caly; Deborah Ann Williamson

doi:10.1002/jmv.28429

Mpox diagnostics: Review of current and emerging technologies

J Med Virol. 2023 Jan;95(1):e28429. doi: 10.1002/jmv.28429.

Authors

Chuan Kok Lim^{1

2}, Jason Roberts^{1

2}, Michael Moso^{1

2}, Kwee Chin Liew^{1

2}, Mona L Taouk², Eloise Williams^{1

2}, Thomas Tran^{1

2}, Eike Steinig^{1

2}, Leon Caly^{1

2}, Deborah Ann Williamson^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
² Department of Infectious Diseases, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Abstract

Mpox is a zoonotic disease caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV) from the Orthopoxvirus genus. Unprecedented transmission events have led to more than 70 000 cases reported worldwide by October 2022. The change in mpox epidemiology has raised concerns of its ability to establish endemicity beyond its traditional geographical locations. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of mpox virology and viral dynamics that are relevant to mpox diagnostics. A synopsis of the traditional and emerging laboratory technologies useful for MPXV detection and in guiding "elimination" strategies is outlined in this review. Importantly, development in MPXV genomics has rapidly advanced our understanding of the role of viral evolution and adaptation in the current outbreak.

Keywords: diagnostics; genomics; monkeypox; mpox; orthopoxvirus; serology.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Disease Outbreaks
Humans
Monkeypox virus
Mpox (monkeypox)* / diagnosis
Mpox (monkeypox)* / epidemiology
Orthopoxvirus*
Zoonoses