Evaluation of a commercial Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for orthopoxvirus and monkeypox virus detection, and simultaneous subclade Ib identification

Several mpox outbreaks, caused by subclades Ia and Ib monkeypox virus (MPXV), are ongoing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The World Health Organization declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to the geographic expansion of subclade Ib. We assessed the performance of a novel multiplex real-time PCR assay designed for MPXV detection and simultaneous subclade Ib identification. This assay demonstrates high accuracy and specificity, underscoring its use for the current mpox outbreak.