Laboratory Support

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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