Monkeypox is an infectious disease characterized by flu-like symptoms and a painful rash. While it isn’t life-threatening, the uncertainty associated with waiting five or more days for confirmatory results from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory test adds to patient distress and hampers daily life activities. New research findings, partly credited to UW Medicine, shed light on a potential solution to this issue.
The study focused on the monkeypox outbreak in western Washington during 2022, demonstrating that emergency response teams have a high accuracy rate in both diagnosing suspected monkeypox and offering immediate care. The clinicians at the King County Sexual Health Clinic at Harborview Medical made correct presumptions and provided timely treatment with tecovirimat to approximately 71% of the 121 people who later tested positive for monkeypox. Furthermore, they had an impressive 99% accuracy rate in predicting patients who would test negative for monkeypox.
Dr. Chase Cannon, the co-author of the study, emphasizes the importance of this data. He mentions the anxiety and life disruptions that occur within the waiting period post-testing. While he acknowledges that only a PCR test can definitively confirm monkeypox, according to the World Health Organization, he also highlights the advantages of a same-day provisional diagnosis. It aids in advising patients about probable outcomes, isolation recommendations, and practices to stay safe.
The outcome of the study was published on February 29 in the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Harborview Medical Center, whose team successfully managed the outbreak, is owned by King County and supervised by UW Medicine.