08/30/2022: Lab Advisory: Best Practices for Suspected Mpox Lesion Specimen Collection
Audience: Individuals Who Collect Specimens
Level: Laboratory Advisory
CDC has created a new resource (Tips For Adequate Collection of a Lesion Specimen From a Suspect Mpox Virus Case) to optimize lesion specimen collection and improve diagnostic results. Please share this message with the individuals who submit or collect specimens at your facilities:
- Swab lesion specimens vigorously to collect as much human DNA as possible. Specimens that do not contain enough human DNA may lead to inconclusive test results.
- Follow recommended infection prevention and control practices.
- Wear personal protective equipment.
- Prevent sharps injury – do not unroof or aspirate lesions or otherwise use sharp instruments for mpox virus lesion specimen collection.
- Refer to Tips for Adequate Collection of a Lesion Specimen From Suspect Mpox Virus Case for step-by-step instructions for swabbing lesion surfaces and collecting crusts from healing lesions.
Opt in to receive updates from the CDC Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS).
Online resources:
- Preparation and Collection of Specimens
- Information For Laboratory Personnel
- Laboratory Procedures and Biosafety Guidelines
- How to Report Test Results
- 2022 Outbreak Cases and Data
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)