Public Health Laboratories - Sequencing to Save Lives

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Monkeypox sequencing has enabled the Los Angeles County Public Health Laboratory to confirm specific clade/lineage type of the virus. We have been able to identify resistance to an antiviral medication, tecovirimat, and provide guidance to clinical laboratories regarding limitations of certain diagnostic tests. Our program partnered with clinical laboratories to develop a sequencing surveillance network and to provide valuable information to our local epidemiologists as well as the CDC regarding high risk, immunocompromised patients who are non-responsive tecovirimat treatment. We have also determined what are the circulating monkeypox strain types in our area and been able to perform genomic comparisons for outbreak investigations. Data has also been utilized to develop treatment guidelines and publications.