Isolation of Monkeypox virus

Isolation of monkeypox virus.

Lesion fluid and/or crust and/or crust material, scab, skin material, swabs; CSF, other bodily fluids (minimum sample 0.5 mL) and fresh frozen tissues.

Collect samples in sterile 1.5-5.0 mL tubes. A dry swab in a sterile tube is recommended, a swab in transport media will be accepted if indicated on the requisition.

Tissues: Fresh frozen tissues should be placed in plastic containers.

Serum: Collect in serum (red top) or serum separator tubes (SST), centrifugation of serum tubes is not needed and should be avoided.

Store samples in refrigerator or frozen until being shipped for testing.  Serum can be shipped refrigerated or frozen. Tissues should be shipped frozen. Ship frozen specimens on dry ice and refrigerated specimens on wet ice. Formalin-fixed samples can be sent at room temperature.

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

Symptomatic and travel to monkeypox virus endemic areas or contact to travellers or animals from these areas.

Completed Special Pathogens requisition including sender name, address and telephone number. Patient information including name or identifier, date of birth, and all relevant patient history including clinical diagnosis, underlying diseases, exposure risk and travel history. Indicate type of specimen collected and all specimen information. Select all required tests. If possible, attach lab results that have already been done at local or provincial laboratories.

All patient history must be included; sample without adequate patient history to justify testing are subject to rejection. Contact Special Pathogens prior to submission of sample to ensure appropriate shipping documentation is generated.

The PCR test is validated. Isolation is a non-routine test for investigational purposes.

Testing is performed, in whole or in part, using a lab-developed test which has not been fully validated/verified.

For diagnosis of monkeypox virus infection to be confirmed, one or more of the following diagnostic markers must be positive: (i) presence of monkeypox virus DNA by PCR, and (ii) isolation of monkeypox virus.

14 calendar days.