06/24/2022: Lab Advisory: Culture-Based Testing Guidance for Mpox Virus
Audience: Clinical Laboratory Professionals
Level: Laboratory Advisory
Laboratory personnel should only perform culture-based testing for mpox virus if they have validated and appropriately approved protocols, BSL-3 containment facilities, and smallpox vaccinated staff as outlined on the Laboratory Procedures for Mpox Virus page.
CDC recommends that smallpox vaccinated laboratory staff who perform culture-based testing of lesion specimen material from a suspect monkeypox case for diagnostic purposes other than mpox virus (e.g., HSV or VSV) use BSL-2 facilities with BSL-3 practices. CDC recommends that unvaccinated staff use BSL-3 containment when performing these procedures.
Opt in to receive updates from the CDC Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS).
Online resources:
- Mpox Information for Laboratory Personnel
- U.S. Mpox 2022: Situation Summary
- Real-time PCR assays for the specific detection of mpox virus West African and Congo Basin strain DNA
- Detection of mpox virus with real-time PCR assays
Questions?
- If you are a clinical or public health laboratory professional, contact LOCS.
- For media inquiries, contact the CDC Newsroom.
- For all other questions, contact CDC-INFO.
Thank you,
The Laboratory Outreach Communication System
Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS) | Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS)
Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)