Detection of Mpox Virus Using Microbial Cell-free DNA: the Potential of Pathogen-Agnostic Sequencing for Rapid Identification of Emerging Pathogens.

We demonstrate the potential of plasma mcfDNA sequencing to detect, quantify, and, for acute infections with high sequencing coverage, subtype MPXV using a single non-invasive test. Sequencing plasma mcfDNA may augment existing mpox testing in vulnerable patient populations or in patients with atypical symptoms or unrecognized mpox. Strain type information may supplement disease surveillance and facilitate tracking emerging pathogens.