Monkeypox

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a zoonotic double-stranded DNA enveloped virus that belongs to the orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family, which also includes variola (VARV), cowpox (CPX), and vaccinia (VACV) viruses. The monkeypox virus is endemic to Africa with two distinct genetic groups (clades): the west African clade and the central African (Congo Basin) clade.

For the second time in two years, the WHO has declared a global health emergency for mpox (monkeypox) virus, due to a newly emerging, highly contagious strain spreading across Africa. PCR is the only available FDA-approved test known to detect mpox virus, but it has limitations including complex sample collection and the requirement for sophisticated equipment and trained personnel. A rapid test, needing only a small sample of lesion swab and delivering results in 15 minutes, could dramatically slow the rate of transmission of the virus. Several immunodominant proteins for mpox have been identified and antibodies to the MPXV A29L protein have shown promise in lateral flow assays for the specific detection of mpox without cross-reactivity to other Orthopoxviruses. (doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1414224).

Meridian has paired MAbs to Mpox A29L that are ideal for ELISA or lateral flow applications, alongside recombinant antigens to mpox proteins P4a, A5L, A11L, H3L, and A29L for IgM testing.