Need for additional capacity and improved capability for molecular detection of yellow fever virus in European Expert Laboratories: External Quality Assessment, March 2018

An external quality assessment of yellow fever virus (YFV) molecular detection in European laboratories was organised in rapid response to an increase in human cases in Brazil in 2018 with risk of import to Europe. Detection of YFV was assessed among 32 laboratories in 23/31 European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries and two laboratories in one non-EU/EEA country. Adequate capabilities were lacking in 10/23 countries; five did not participate as they lacked implemented assays.

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Variable Sensitivity in Molecular Detection of Zika Virus in European Expert Laboratories: External Quality Assessment, November 2016

Journal of Clinical Microbiology ◽

10.1128/jcm.00987-17 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 55 (11) ◽

pp. 3219-3226 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Remi Charrel ◽

Ramona Mögling ◽

Suzan Pas ◽

Anna Papa ◽

Cecile Baronti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Assessment ◽

Zika Virus ◽

Molecular Detection ◽

Yellow Fever Virus ◽

External Quality Assessment ◽

Health Concern ◽

Molecular Testing ◽

Acid Extraction ◽

External Quality ◽

Core Samples

ABSTRACTZika virus (ZIKV) infections are a significant public health concern. A strong capability for ZIKV detection is an absolute requirement for adequate preparedness and response strategies and individual patient care. The objective of this study was to assess and improve the capability of European expert laboratories for molecular testing for ZIKV through an external quality assessment (EQA) scheme. Laboratories were provided a panel of 12 samples which included negative samples, samples containing African- or Asian-lineage ZIKV at various concentrations (103to 109copies/ml), and samples containing dengue virus, yellow fever virus, or chikungunya virus. The results were analyzed on the basis of the outcomes of testing for the samples and the extraction and detection method used. Samples with a ZIKV RNA status scored correctly by >50% of the laboratories were designated the core sample. A total of 85 panel outcomes were submitted by 50 laboratories in 31 countries. The results designated all samples as core samples. Thirty-three percent (28/85) of the panel outcomes identified all samples. Analysis at the laboratory level showed that only 40% of the laboratories (20/50), representing 45% of the countries, scored sufficiently; i.e., they had at least one test operational that scored all core samples correctly. There is a need for improvement of the molecular detection of ZIKV in 60% of the participating laboratories. While the specificity of the tests was more robust, the results of the EQA showed large variation in test sensitivity. Improvements should focus on both nucleic acid extraction and ZIKV detection methods.

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First International External Quality Assessment of Molecular Detection of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0001706 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 6 (6) ◽

pp. e1706 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Camille Escadafal ◽

Stephan Ölschläger ◽

Tatjana Avšič-Županc ◽

Anna Papa ◽

Jessica Vanhomwegen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Assessment ◽

Molecular Detection ◽

External Quality Assessment ◽

Hemorrhagic Fever ◽

Fever Virus ◽

External Quality ◽

Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever ◽

Hemorrhagic Fever Virus

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International External Quality Assessment of Molecular Detection of Rift Valley Fever Virus

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0002244 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. e2244 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Camille Escadafal ◽

Janusz T. Paweska ◽

Antoinette Grobbelaar ◽

Chantel le Roux ◽

Michèle Bouloy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Assessment ◽

Rift Valley ◽

Rift Valley Fever ◽

Molecular Detection ◽

External Quality Assessment ◽

Rift Valley Fever Virus ◽

Fever Virus ◽

External Quality ◽

Valley Fever

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Toscana, West Nile, Usutu and tick-borne encephalitis viruses: external quality assessment for molecular detection of emerging neurotropic viruses in Europe, 2017

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/1560-7917.es.2019.24.50.1900051 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (50) ◽

Author(s):

Chantal Reusken ◽

Cecile Baronti ◽

Ramona Mögling ◽

Anna Papa ◽

Katrin Leitmeyer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Assessment ◽

Molecular Detection ◽

External Quality Assessment ◽

Positive Sample ◽

European Economic Area ◽

Virus Species ◽

West Nile ◽

External Quality ◽

Tick Borne Encephalitis ◽

Diagnostic Capability

Background Neurotropic arboviruses are increasingly recognised as causative agents of neurological disease in Europe but underdiagnosis is still suspected. Capability for accurate diagnosis is a prerequisite for adequate clinical and public health response. Aim To improve diagnostic capability in EVD-LabNet laboratories, we organised an external quality assessment (EQA) focusing on molecular detection of Toscana (TOSV), Usutu (USUV), West Nile (WNV) and tick-borne encephalitis viruses (TBEV). Methods Sixty-nine laboratories were invited. The EQA panel included two WNV RNA-positive samples (lineages 1 and 2), two TOSV RNA-positive samples (lineages A and B), one TBEV RNA-positive sample (Western subtype), one USUV RNA-positive sample and four negative samples. The EQA focused on overall capability rather than sensitivity of the used techniques. Only detection of one, clinically relevant, concentration per virus species and lineage was assessed. Results The final EQA analysis included 51 laboratories from 35 countries; 44 of these laboratories were from 28 of 31 countries in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA). USUV diagnostic capability was lowest (28 laboratories in 18 countries), WNV detection capacity was highest (48 laboratories in 32 countries). Twenty-five laboratories were able to test the whole EQA panel, of which only 11 provided completely correct results. The highest scores were observed for WNV and TOSV (92%), followed by TBEV (86%) and USUV (75%). Conclusion We observed wide variety in extraction methods and RT-PCR tests, showing a profound absence of standardisation across European laboratories. Overall, the results were not satisfactory; capacity and capability need to be improved in 40 laboratories.

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