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 maj

SUBMITTER: Pas SD 

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

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature