International external quality assessment study for molecular detection of Lassa virus

• Published in: PLoS neglected tropical diseases Vol. 9; no. 5; p. e0003793
• Main Authors: Nikisins, Sergejs, Rieger, Toni, Patel, Pranav, Müller, Rolf, Günther, Stephan, Niedrig, Matthias
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 01-05-2015; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Africa, Western; Diagnosis; Europe; Fever; Fish; Health aspects; Humans; Identification and classification; Laboratories; Laboratories - standards; Lassa fever; Lassa virus; Lassa virus - genetics; Lassa virus - isolation & purification; Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus; Molecular diagnostic techniques; North America; Public health; Quality management; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction - standards; RNA viruses; Studies; Viral infections
• ISSN: 1935-2735; 1935-2727; 1935-2735
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003793

Lassa virus (LASV) is a causative agent of hemorrhagic fever in West Africa. In recent years, it has been imported several times to Europe and North America. The method of choice for early detection of LASV in blood is RT-PCR. Therefore, the European Network for Diagnostics of 'Imported' Viral Diseases (ENIVD) performed an external quality assessment (EQA) study for molecular detection of LASV. A proficiency panel of 13 samples containing various concentrations of inactivated LASV strains Josiah, Lib-1580/121, CSF, or AV was prepared. Samples containing the LASV-related lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and negative sera were included as specificity controls. Twenty-four laboratories from 17 countries (13 European, one African, one Asian, two American countries) participated in the study. Thirteen laboratories (54%) reported correct results, 4 (17%) laboratories reported 1 to 2 false-negative results, and 7 (29%) laboratories reported 3 to 5 false-negative results. This EQA study indicates that most participating laboratories have a good or acceptable performance in molecular detection of LASV. However, several laboratories need to review and improve their diagnostic procedures.