A study by ibs.GRANADA evaluates an automated assay for the detection of monkeypox virus
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, has evaluated a fully automated real-time PCR assay for the detection of monkeypox virus
An international study led by Dr. Federico García, principal investigator of the group MP13-Resistance to Antiretrovirals, attached to the scientific direction of the Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA) and Head of the Microbiology and Parasitology Service of the San Cecilio Clinical University Hospital of Granada, has carried out an evaluation of the NeuMoDx MPXV real-time PCR test, developed by Qiagen. This assay has demonstrated high accuracy and efficacy in detecting monkeypox virus in the test, with high sensitivity and specificity.
Monkeypox virus is a zoonotic viral disease that has gained importance due to recent international outbreaks. The need for rapid and accurate diagnostic tools is essential to control its spread and provide timely treatment to those affected.
In clinical tests, the assay was able to correctly identify the virus in 99% of cases, and showed a specificity of 97%, that is, it was almost always correct in determining when a sample did not contain the virus. Additionally, the tool can differentiate between the two main variants of the virus, which is crucial for an effective outbreak response. Complete automation of the process not only improves accuracy, but also significantly accelerates diagnosis time, allowing for faster and more effective responses in health emergency situations.
This international study, which also included the participation of Johns Hopkins University (USA) and UZ Gent (Belgium), highlights the importance of differentiated detection of both MPXV variants to improve safety in laboratories and allows a response faster and more precise to the spread of the disease. Additionally, fully automating the diagnostic process significantly improves workflow in laboratories, from nucleic acid extraction to data analysis and interpretation.
The ability of the NeuMoDx MPXV assay to differentiate between different variants provides an essential tool for clinical diagnostic laboratories, enabling a faster and more accurate response to the spread of the disease.
About the research group
The MP13-Antiretroviral Resistance group at ibs.GRANADA investigates drug resistance in HIV, viral tropism, low-level viremia and the molecular epidemiology of HIV to guide public health interventions. In hepatitis C, they coordinate the activities of the Hepatitis C Elimination Plan in Andalusia, and lead national studies at GEHEP-SEIMC. They participate in the Steering Committee of HEPCARE (Europe) and SHARED (Global). His lines of research include the elimination of hepatitis C, molecular epidemiology of HIV, microbiota, resistance to antiretrovirals and antibiotics, and alternative therapy. In addition, they are part of the RIS and CIBERINFEC networks.
More information about the group at: https://www.ibsgranada.es/grupos-de-investigacion/mp13-resistencias-a-antiretrovirales/
Bibliographic reference
Mostafa, H.H., Wall, G., Su, S.-C., Hysa, G., Gong, L., Dadjeu, UC, Cheung, H., Pekosz, A., De Smet, D., Sklenovská, N ., Laenen, L., Viñuela, L., de Salazar, A., Fuentes, A., Padalko, E., & Garcia, F. (2024). Multi-center evaluation of the Research Use Only NeuMoDx monkeypox virus (MPXV) fully automated real-time PCR assay. In R. Hayden (Ed.), Journal of Clinical Microbiology (Vol. 62, Issue 5). American Society for Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.00028-24
