Scientists at the Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology have developed a testing system capable of rapidly diagnosing monkeypox, and a patent has been registered for this innovation.
The patent certificate explained that this innovation does not require the use of complex devices, making it suitable for use in various medical environments.
The inventors pointed out that previous diagnostic methods suffered from difficulties related to the similarity of the immune response to monkeypox with other viruses such as human smallpox and cowpox, where antibodies may react with more than one virus at the same time, leading to inaccurate results.
They added that traditional methods were not suitable for rapid diagnosis, as they required advanced laboratory equipment and additional analytical steps, in addition to their limited ability to process or sterilize samples, as well as the possibility of false positive results or reduced sensitivity due to the weak binding of the virus to the reagents.
The patent text states: "The invention can be used in medical practice, specifically to detect cases of monkeypox, either in diagnostic laboratories or directly at the patient's bedside, by performing the analysis and recording the results without the need for specialized equipment."
The improved diagnostic system is based on an antibody designed to specifically recognize and bind to monkeypox virus without interacting with similar viruses.
The innovation also relies on a special method for producing one of the essential components of the test, the peroxidase conjugate, where the peroxidase enzyme is stablely attached to the antibody, which helps to detect the virus with high accuracy in the samples.
The researchers confirmed that the system underwent a series of laboratory tests that proved its effectiveness, as the antibody showed the ability to bind to a specific site in the monkeypox virus protein without interacting with other similar viruses.
The system was also tested on blood samples and skin swabs from suspected patients, and the results showed conformity with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, with high accuracy and usability in different conditions, including laboratories and near the patient, in addition to its stability during storage and transport.
Monkeypox is a rare viral disease characterized by fever, intoxication, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that develops into blisters and then ulcers when they rupture. The virus is transmitted to humans from wild animals such as rodents and primates, and can also spread through human-to-human transmission. In mild cases, the illness resolves spontaneously and lasts two to three weeks.
