Protocol for mpox virus inactivation in containment level 3 for safe handling of animal samples
High biocontainment is required to handle infectious mpox virus (MPXV) specimens, which can hinder research and diagnostic efforts during outbreaks. Here, we present a protocol for inactivating MPXV-contaminated animal samples using commercial lysis buffers. We describe steps for virus propagation and quantification and MPXV inactivation. We then detail procedures for validating the inactivation using a cell-based technique and qPCR. This protocol provides a framework for safely managing MPXV in lower-containment laboratories, facilitating downstream applications and improved outbreak management.
Authors
- Jill van Kessel
- Arianna M. Hurtado-Monzón (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6818-9255)
- Robert Andrew Kozak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6159-9972)
- P. S. Anil Kumar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4574-0868)
- Arinjay Banerjee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2821-8357)
- Antonio Facciuolo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4551-9386)
- Benedicte Mpia Moni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1047-2189)
Institutions
- Sunnybrook Health Science Centre (CA)
- University of Saskatchewan (CA)
- University of Kinshasa (CD)
- Sunnybrook Research Institute
Publication Details
- Journal
- STAR Protocols
- Published
- 2025-04-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2025.103770
- Primary Topic
- Poxvirus research and outbreaks
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Ministry of Agriculture - Saskatchewan
- Innovation Saskatchewan
- Canada Foundation for Innovation
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research