Table 2.

Diagnostic tests for Orthopoxvirus.

Test	Characteristics
Viral cultures	A live virus is grown and it can be helpful in the classification of the species but needs a specimen from lesions
	The assay takes several days to obtain results and can be disrupted by bacterial infiltration
	Needs highly skilled technical staff and major laboratory setting
Immunohistochemistry	This tests for specific Orthopoxvirus-specific antigens Any biopsy specimen can be used for detection
	Classification is not possible as Orthopoxviruses are indistinguishable from each other
	Needs highly skilled technical staff and major laboratory setting
Real-time polymerase chain reaction	This tests for monkeypox-specific DNA signatures and it can determine previous exposure and the specific monkeypox virus
	Needs highly skilled technical staff and major laboratory setting
Anti- Orthopoxvirusimmunoglobulins (IgM/IgG)	This tests forOrthopoxvirusantibodies to assess a recent or previous exposure
	This test can be used even with smallpox vaccination
	Requires a cold chain and collection of blood and the essay is not specific for monkeypox
Immunohistochemistry	This tests for Orthopoxvirus-specific antigens
	Needs highly skilled technical staff and major laboratory setting