Dataset Information

First international external quality assessment of molecular diagnostics for Mers-CoV.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Since the discovery of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012, diagnostic protocols were quickly published and deployed globally.

Objectives

We set out to assess the quality of MERS-CoV molecular diagnostics worldwide.

Study design

Both sensitivity and specificity were assessed using 12 samples containing different viral loads of MERS-CoV or common coronaviruses (OC43, 229E, NL63, HKU1).

Results

The panel was sent to more than 106 participants, of which 99 laboratories from 6 continents returned 189 panel results.Scores ranged from 100% (84 laboratories) to 33% (1 laboratory). 15% of respondents reported quantitative results, 61% semi-quantitative (Ct-values or time to positivity) and 24% reported qualitative results. The major specific technique used was real-time RT-PCR using the WHO recommended targets upE, ORF1a and ORF1b. The evaluation confirmed that RT-PCRs targeting the ORF1b are less sensitive, and therefore not advised for primary diagnostics.

Conclusions

The first external quality assessment MERS-CoV panel gives a good insight in molecular diagnostic techniques and their performances for sensitive and specific detection of MERS-CoV RNA globally. Overall, all laboratories were capable of detecting MERS-CoV with some differences in sensitivity. The observation that 8% of laboratories reported false MERS-CoV positive single assay results shows room for improvement, and the importance of using confirmatory targets.

SUBMITTER: Pas SD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7106520 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

First international external quality assessment of molecular diagnostics for Mers-CoV.

Pas Suzan D SD Patel Pranav P Reusken Chantal C Domingo Cristina C Corman Victor M VM Drosten Christian C Dijkman Ronald R Thiel Volker V Nowotny Norbert N Koopmans Marion P G MP Niedrig Matthias M

Journal of clinical virology : the official publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology 20150530

<h4>Background</h4>Since the discovery of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012, diagnostic protocols were quickly published and deployed globally.<h4>Objectives</h4>We set out to assess the quality of MERS-CoV molecular diagnostics worldwide.<h4>Study design</h4>Both sensitivity and specificity were assessed using 12 samples containing different viral loads of MERS-CoV or common coronaviruses (OC43, 229E, NL63, HKU1).<h4>Results</h4>The panel was sent to more than 106 ...[more]

PMID: 26209385

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Dataset Information

First international external quality assessment of molecular diagnostics for Mers-CoV.

Background

Objectives

Study design

Results

Conclusions

Publications

First international external quality assessment of molecular diagnostics for Mers-CoV.

Similar Datasets

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