• A Belgian pharmaceutical firm has devised a test to screen for monkeypox that can give results in just 20 minutes.
• The LAMP test is already being used in countries that have high monkeypox infections, like the DRC.
• South Africa is currently screening visitors at its ports for monkeypox infections, and a few locals have perished from the disease.

Visitors entering South Africa from air and sea ports are now being screened via temperature gauges whether or not they could be infected with the monkeypox virus, otherwise known as MPox. Should a visitor present with a higher-than-average temperature, this visitor will be isolated for further screening.

This further screening could be assisted by a new screening test developed by Belgian pharmaceutical firm Contipharma – the LAMP (Loop-mediated isothermal AMPlification) test, specifically designed to detect monkeypox in a person, with results provided in under 20 minutes.

The test was developed with the help of doctors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where Moneypox has killed more than 50 people and infected over 14 000 since the start of 2024.

“Our screening kit combines the sensitivity and specificity of a conventional PCR test with the speed of an antigen test, providing a valid result within 20 minutes maximum. The dry version does not require a laboratory visit for authentication and validation,” explains Dr. Hope Sounouvou, scientific manager of Contipharma in a release sent to Hypertext.

“Rapid detection of Monkeypox virus can help prevent further spread of the disease. Mpox can be confused with other infections and conditions, such as chickenpox, measles, herpes or syphilis. Contipharma’s LAMP screening kit is a rapid in vitro diagnostic test for the detection of Mpox virus,” the firm adds.

The test can detect both forms of Monkeypox virus, which are both transmitted via coming into physical contact with an infected person. Symptoms include skin rash or lesions accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

A number of cases have been reported in South Africa as of June, with a few fatalities according to Health Minister Joe Phaahla. While the disease is deadly, South Africa does have treatment on hand that could save lives if the disease is reported and detected in time, which makes the quick detection rate so crucial.

Other countries that have seen significant amounts of infections include the Central African Republic, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi. 

“LAMP Mpox is the result of two years of research and development with the help of Professor-Doctor Jean-Jacques Muyembe of the INRB. It will help to carry out an indispensable, rapid and effective screening in the field with a minimum of laboratory intervention,” explains Bernard Delhez, CEO of Contipharma.

“With the Mpox LAMP test, we have developed a product which provides a direct response to the concerns of the DRC’s public health authorities.” 

While there are some LAMP-type monkeypox tests available online, most are not internationally certified, nor have had research performed in their effectiveness. According to Contipharma, the Mpox LAMP tests will become available in Africa within the next few weeks after a registration phase comes to a conclusion.

[Image – Photo by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash]