Smallpox laboratory tests

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Smallpox Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Eradication
Post-Eradication

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Smallpox from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Primary Prevention

Outbreak Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case Studies

Smallpox laboratory tests On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Smallpox laboratory tests

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Smallpox laboratory tests

CDC on Smallpox laboratory tests

Smallpox laboratory tests in the news

Blogs on Smallpox laboratory tests

Directions to Hospitals Treating Smallpox

Risk calculators and risk factors for Smallpox laboratory tests

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]

Overview

Laboratory Findings

There are laboratory tests to specifically identify the smallpox virus. However, in a patient with low to medium level of suspicion of smallpox, a false-positive result would have a great personal and social impacts. Therefore these tests must be used cautiously, and according to certain guidelines.[1][2][3][4]

The algorithm below describes the laboratory protocol for a patient who presents with a generalized vesicular or pustular rash. This algorithm is based on the risk level of the patient to be infected with smallpox.[1]

Laboratory Confirmation

Laboratory Criteria for Confirmation

  • Isolation of smallpox (variola) virus from a clinical specimen (WHO Smallpox Reference laboratory or laboratory with appropriate reference capabilities) with variola PCR confirmation.

Laboratory diagnostic testing for variola virus should be conducted in a CDC Laboratory Response Network (LRN) laboratory utilizing LRN-approved PCR tests and protocols for variola virus. Initial confirmation of a smallpox outbreak requires additional testing at CDC.

Note: Generic orthopox PCR and negative stain electron microscopy (EM) identification of a pox virus in a clinical specimen are suggestive of an 'orthopox ' virus infection but not diagnostic for smallpox.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Moore, Zack S; Seward, Jane F; Lane, J Michael (2006). "Smallpox". The Lancet. 367 (9508): 425–435. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68143-9. ISSN 0140-6736.
  2. Seward JF, Galil K, Damon I, Norton SA, Rotz L, Schmid S; et al. (2004). "Development and experience with an algorithm to evaluate suspected smallpox cases in the United States, 2002-2004". Clin Infect Dis. 39 (10): 1477–83. doi:10.1086/425500. PMID 15546084.
  3. Besser JM, Crouch NA, Sullivan M (2003). "Laboratory diagnosis to differentiate smallpox, vaccinia, and other vesicular/pustular illnesses". J Lab Clin Med. 142 (4): 246–51. doi:10.1016/S0022-2143(03)00146-X. PMID 14625530.
  4. Madeley, CR (2003). "Diagnosing smallpox in possible bioterrorist attack". The Lancet. 361 (9352): 97–98. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)12241-6. ISSN 0140-6736.

Template:WH Template:WS