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Roche Develops Monkeypox Virus Detection PCR Tests

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 31 May 2022

Image: LightMix Modular Orthopox /Monkeypox Virus assay is performed on the LightCycler 480 II (Photo courtesy of Roche)

Multiple clusters of the monkeypox virus have been reported within the past two weeks in several European countries and North America, which are regions where the virus is not normally found. The World Health Organization (WHO) expects more cases will be identified as surveillance expands. The use of new research test kits to assess the spread of the virus and can help monitor the potential impact of therapeutics, vaccines and public health interventions.

In response to the recent monkeypox virus concerns, Roche Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) and its subsidiary TIB Molbiol (Berlin, Germany) have developed three unique LightMix Modular Virus kits for the detection of the monkeypox virus. The LightMix Modular Orthopox /Monkeypox Virus Kits are assays that detect Orthopoxviruses, including the monkeypox virus, using a technology called quantitative PCR (qPCR). The assay is performed on either a LightCycler 480 II Instrument or cobas z 480 Analyzer.

The first LightMix Modular Virus kit detects orthopoxviruses, including all monkeypox viruses from both the West African and Central African forms of the virus (referred to as clades).The second kit is a specific test detecting monkeypox viruses only (West African and Central African clade). For researchers interested in obtaining both of these results, a third kit is available that simultaneously detects orthopoxviruses plus provides information on whether a monkeypox virus is present or not (West African and Central African clade). The test kits are available for research use in the majority of countries worldwide.

“Roche has very quickly developed a new suite of tests that detect the monkeypox virus and aid in following its epidemiologic spread,” said Thomas Schinecker, CEO Roche Diagnostics. “Diagnostic tools are crucial for responding to and ultimately controlling emerging public health challenges as they advance response measures such as tracing efforts and treatment strategies.”

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Roche Diagnostics
TIB Molbiol