Laboratory
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Sample
Requirements for Poxvirus DNA Identification
The best specimens
for many of the orthopox laboratory tests are the “roofs” or
crusts from the lesions, which contain large amounts of orthopoxvirus
material. Vesicular fluids from the lesions are also sources for
diagnostic material, and good starting materials for electron microscopy.

Whichever tests
are considered for diagnosis, multiple lesions should be sampled
for both roof of lesions and vesicular fluids from the lesions
since not all lesion specimens are easy to identify.
Biopsy
material can be used for viral identification with PCR, immuno-histochemical
staining, or culture. For electron microscopy, lesion roofs, scab
or crust material, or vesicular fluid can be used. For non-dermatologic
related adverse event evaluation appropriate material should be
taken to evaluate for other potential etiologic causes of the adverse
event, such as CSF for herpesvirus testing in suspect post vaccinial
encephalitis. In addition, these materials can be tested for the
presence of vaccinia.
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