Near East University DESAM Research Institute developed a dual PCR  diagnosis test kit that efficiently detects both Monkeypox (Mpox) and Chickenpox from a single sample. By distinguishing between these two infections with overlapping symptoms, this innovation is set to transform the diagnosis and treatment process, enabling faster and more accurate medical responses.

The global spread of Monkeypox (Mpox), a viral infection closely resembling Chickenpox, has underscored the necessity of rapid, reliable diagnostic tools. Often presenting with similar symptoms such as fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle pain. Mpox and Chickenpox can be challenging to differentiate based on clinical symptoms alone. The need for precise diagnostic tools has become even more critical as Mpox spreads across continents, prompting the World Health Organization to declare it a global emergency. Accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure that patients receive the correct treatment promptly, as misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate care and further disease transmission.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests have long been integral to accurate disease identification due to their high sensitivity in detecting viral DNA. However, traditional PCR tests typically target single pathogens, requiring separate tests when symptoms overlap between infections. This is where Near East University’s dual PCR kit offers a solution for clinicians. Designed specifically to distinguish between Mpox and Chickenpox, the kit allows healthcare providers to identify the specific virus from a single sample, eliminating the need for multiple tests and shortening the time to diagnosis.

The dual PCR kit not only accelerates the diagnostic process but also reduces the chances of diagnostic errors, which can have severe implications for treatment outcomes. Early and precise identification of Mpox and Chickenpox is essential for managing patient care, as both diseases demand different medical responses. By streamlining diagnosis, this dual diagnostic kit promises to significantly reduce the risk of misdiagnosis, lower healthcare costs, and improve patient outcomes, ultimately strengthening global public health efforts against infectious diseases.

The Near East University DESAM Research Institute has gained significant experience through the development of the local PCR Diagnostic and Variant Analysis Kit for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus during the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, over 11 diagnostic kits have been developed, including some of the world’s first for viruses that pose a risk of outbreaks or pandemics following SARS-CoV-2. Among the kits produced for diseases such as Dengue Fever, Chikungunya, Monkeypox, Hepatitis Delta, FIP, and West Nile Virus, the dual PCR diagnostic kit that detects both Chickenpox and Mpox from a single sample stands out as the most recently developed.

The Kit Production and Genome Analysis Laboratory possesses the capacity to rapidly develop diagnostic kits for any outbreak and continues its mission of preparedness in this field.