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Mpox infections are caused by the monkeypox virus, an orthopoxvirus related to the variola virus that causes smallpox. The monkeypox virus causes relatively rare infections in humans. In 2022, countries that didn’t normally have mpox cases, including the United States, began to experience outbreaks.
Since this initial outbreak, ARUP has actively participated in the formulation of an appropriate national response in partnership with the CDC and other laboratories.
ARUP’s test, Orthopoxvirus (includes monkeypox virus) by PCR, is a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect the DNA of orthopoxviruses, including monkeypox virus. This test is based on the CDC assay but has been optimized for state-of-the-art instrumentation and is validated for an automated specimen extraction process. These optimizations will allow for reduced turnaround times and increased capability to upscale testing capacity. Please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below for more details.
FAQs
ARUP’s In-House Test for Mpox Infection
Order Orthopoxvirus (includes monkeypox virus) by PCR (ARUP test code 3005716).
ARUP’s test detects orthopoxvirus DNA, which includes monkeypox virus. This test detects monkeypox virus clade I and II but does not differentiate between them.
Refer to the latest CDC guidance or your local health department regarding confirmatory testing requirements. Specimens are held at ARUP for 14 days following the date of testing. ARUP can facilitate sending samples to a health department for typing through our Referral Testing department. Clients or health departments can request a specimen by calling ARUP Client Services.
ARUP’s test is also a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, based on the same assay principles as the CDC's FDA-cleared test. As ARUP's test is optimized for modern instrumentation and automated processes, it is classified as a laboratory-developed test (LDT). This optimization allows for rapid scaling of testing capacity, if needed, and reduced turnaround times.
ARUP’s test, Orthopoxvirus (includes monkeypox virus) by PCR, is New York approved.
For pricing, please contact ARUP Client Services.
The CPT code is 87593.
Effective July 26, 2022, the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel approved this new CPT code to use specifically for orthopoxvirus (monkeypox virus) detection to improve reporting in cases of suspected or confirmed mpox.
Refer to ARUP’s test directory for specimen requirements and the Orthopoxvirus (includes monkeypox virus) by PCR Specimen Collection and Shipping Instructions.
Please collect specimens using a swab placed in viral transport media (VTM), which is ARUP Supply #12884. You can order these swabs online through ARUP eSupply.
Yes, the following media types are acceptable for ARUP’s Orthopoxvirus (includes monkeypox virus) by PCR test: M4, M4-RT, M5, M5-RT, M6, UTM, BD Universal Transport Media (UVT), BD Liquid Amies Elution Swab (eSwab), Cellmatics Viral Transport Pack, ChlamTrans Transport Media, Bartels ViraTrans Transport Media, Bartels FlexTrans Transport Media, Hardy Diagnostic Media CVM and VCM, Meridian Viral Transport Media, Starplex Multitrans System, and saline.
Yes, the specimen source and media type are required for all monkeypox virus testing to ensure that tests are performed on validated specimen and media and for the purpose of public health reporting. Please provide the specimen source and media type for each order.
Yes, per CDC guidance, specimens can be shipped as UN 3373 Biological Substance, Category B. Please refer to the details in Ancillary Testing.
When orthopoxvirus DNA is detected in a patient specimen, an ARUP representative will call our client labs to report the result as an “alert value.” Results will also be available on ARUP Connect or on our client’s interface.
Yes, example reports can be found here (detected) and here (not detected).
ARUP will report as required by state laws and regulations; this meets our reporting requirements as the performing laboratory. This does not cover reporting that may or may not be required by other healthcare providers. ARUP does not maintain reporting requirements for providers, so we are unable to provide guidance on provider/client reporting.
Yes. To meet public health reporting regulations and limit the spread within your community, please submit the Patient Demographics Form for Public Health Reporting with all Orthopoxvirus (includes monkeypox virus) by PCR test specimens.
If you do not submit the Patient Demographics Form for Public Health Reporting, please transmit complete demographic information with each order, including the patient’s name, another unique identifier such as medical record number (MRN), address, date of birth, sex, race, and ethnicity.
Ancillary Testing
ARUP continues to perform other testing to support the care of patients with suspected or confirmed mpox infection, including tests for sexually transmitted infections and other diseases, to help provide a differential diagnosis in individuals with suspected or confirmed mpox infection.
Other infections can present with lesions similar to mpox. Consider 2010095 Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1/HSV-2) Subtype by PCR, 0060042 Varicella-Zoster Virus by PCR, and 0050920 Treponema pallidum Antibody, IgG by ELISA as alternative tests.
According to the CDC, “Culture-based testing for monkeypox virus should not be performed as a routine diagnostic procedure in clinical or diagnostic laboratories.”1 Monkeypox virus cannot be definitively identified by viral culture at ARUP and should not be used to diagnose mpox. Instead, clients should order Orthopoxvirus (includes monkeypox virus) by PCR.
Yes, per CDC guidance, specimens can be shipped as UN 3373 Biological Substance, Category B. Please refer to our Specimen Transport Guide for more details on Category B shipping.
References
1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Biosafety laboratory guidance for handling and processing monkeypox specimens. Updated Sep 2024; accessed Nov 2025.
