A comprehensive review of current diagnostic techniques for Monkeypox virus detection.

Abstract

Monkeypox (Mpox) is an infectious disease caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPXV), initially confined to Central and Western Africa, but now spreading globally. The clinical manifestations are often atypical in the current Mpox outbreak, in addition to the critical challenges in MPXV typing and the difficulty in reliably distinguishing between clades. Therefore, diagnosing Mpox based on clinical signs and symptoms only can be challenging. Current treatment is not specific to MPXV and primarily involves supportive care and antiviral drugs that inhibit viral DNA synthesis, such as Tecovirimat and Brincidofovir. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current laboratory techniques for MPXV detection, encompassing both direct and indirect diagnostic methods. It highlights recent advancements, evaluates the strengths and limitations of each approach, and proposes innovative strategies to enhance global diagnostic capabilities, including the potential roles of computational drug discovery and immunoinformatics in designing multi-epitope vaccines targeting MPXV and its variants. The most effective measure to control MPXV spread remains vaccination, timely diagnosis, isolation of infected individuals, maintaining personal hygiene, and avoiding contact with contaminated persons, objects, and animal waste.