"With the circulation of this new subclade, which has been circulating in Africa since 2023, there is a need for samples that are positive for Mpox to be genetically characterized in order to identify early whether it is an infection by the old clade or the new subclade, which is the new variant," said Dr. Valdinete Alves Nascimento, a biologist at the Leônidas & Maria Deane Institute (ILMD/Fiocruz Amazônia).

"Since this variant has been associated with more severe cases and more sustained transmission, including in broader age groups, including children, there is concern that this variant will reach Brazil and, therefore, it needs to be identified early," explained Dr. Valdinete.

"Today, diagnosis is done by real-time PCR, which is a molecular biology technique that is highly sensitive and specific. And this molecular biology method is what has been used in all laboratories that diagnose Mpox," said the biologist.

"All collected samples are sent to the central laboratory in Amazonas, where they perform this diagnosis, and positive samples are sent to our laboratory here at LMD, since our laboratory has been a reference for Mpox since 2022, covering both the state of Amazonas and the state of Rondônia," concluded Valdinete Nascimento, a doctor at ILMD - Fiocruz Amazônia.

Source: Amazon Agency.