Monekypox Virus Real Time PCR Kit - a detection tool to combat the potential spread among people and animals. CE marked.

What is the monkeypox virus?

• Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus.
• Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms very similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe.
• Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus.

Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name ‘monkeypox.’ The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox. Since then, monkeypox has been reported in several other central and western African countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, and Sierra Leone. The majority of infections are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Monkeypox cases in people have occurred outside Africa linked to international travel or imported animals, including patients in the United States and Israel, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

The natural reservoir of monkeypox remains unknown. However, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) may harbor the virus and infect people.

How many countries have been infected?

According to WHO, “as of 21 May, 13:00, 92 laboratory-confirmed cases and 28 suspected monkeypox cases with ongoing investigations have been reported to WHO from 12 Member States that are not endemic monkeypox virus across three WHO regions (Table 1, Figure 1). No associated deaths have been reported to date.”

Bioperfectus response to the potential monkeypox virus

Transmission of monkeypox virus occurs when a person comes into contact with the virus from animals, humans, or materials contaminated with the virus. The virus enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), respiratory tract, or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth). Laboratory tests that are used to diagnose monkeypox virus include detection of immunohistochemical testing, electron microscopy, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and virus isolation.

As one of the leading in-vitro diagnostic suppliers, Bioperfectus is pleased to launch the Monkeypox Virus Real Time PCR Kit, which serves as a detection tool in the early confirmation stage of the monkeypox virus. The Bioperfectus Monkeypox Virus Real Time PCR Kit is based on real-time PCR technology. Specific primers and probes are designed based on F3L gene areas of the Monkeypox virus. In addition, the kit also contains a housekeeping gene (RNase P) as an internal control (IC) for specimen sampling and nucleic acid extraction.

Click here to download Bioperfectus Monkeypox Real Time PCR Kit Leaflet. or use the 'Request Information' button below.

A Veterinary Use version is also available now!

Note: Monkeypox endemic countries are Benin, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana (identified in animals only), Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, and Sierra Leone. Benin and South Sudan have documented importations in the past. Countries currently reporting cases of the West African clade are Cameroon and Nigeria. With this case definition, all countries except these four should report new cases of monkeypox as part of the current multi-country outbreak.

BioPerfectus Monkeypox Virus Real Time PCR Kit has been validated, approved, and used to test and track the Monkeypox virus in several high and key-level public and private laboratories worldwide.

Reference:
About Monkeypox, CDC, www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/about.html.
Multi-country monkeypox outbreak in non-endemic countries, WHO, May 21, 2022, www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2022-DON385.