Mpox Specimen Collection, Storage, Preparation, and Laboratory Diagnostics by PCR.

During the 2022 and ongoing mpox outbreak, PCR diagnostics were already within the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) laboratories and additionally rapidly deployed to detect monkeypox (mpox) virus in patients and aid in accurate diagnosis. This accuracy is dependent on proper collection, shipment, and adherence to PCR procedure. This book chapter discusses effective collection, storage, and transportation for a real-time PCR to detect monkeypox virus nucleic acid.