Genetic Detection of Vesicle Forming Pathogens by Arrayed Primer Extension (APEX)

The Variola virus is the causative agent of smallpox disease. Accurate identification of Variola and differential diagnosis between Variola and other vesicle forming (smallpox-like) pathogens are both technically challenging and of great importance. We compiled a list of vesicle forming pathogens that are prone to be misdiagnosed as smallpox. Some of the pathogens (members of the Orthopoxvirus genus) are also genetically highly similar to Variola.