Excellent capability for molecular detection of Aedes -borne dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses but with a need for increased capacity for yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis viruses: an external quality assessment in 36 European laboratories

• Published in: Journal of clinical microbiology 2024-12, p.e0091024
• Main Authors: Presser, Lance D, Baronti, Cécile, Moegling, Ramona, Pezzi, Laura, Lustig, Yaniv, Gossner, Céline M, Reusken, Chantal B E M, Charrel, Rémi N
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Virology
• ISSN: 0095-1137; 1098-660X; 1098-660X
• DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00910-24

Mosquito-borne viruses represent a large global health burden. With geographic expansion of competent vectors for chikungunya virus (CHIKV), dengue virus (DENV), and Zika virus (ZIKV) in Europe, it is anticipated that the number of autochthonous cases of these tropical viruses in Europe will increase. Therefore, regular assessment of diagnostic capabilities in Europe is important. Our aim was to evaluate the mosquito-borne virus molecular detection capability of expert European laboratories by conducting an external quality assessment in October 2023. Molecular panels included 12 plasma samples: one alphavirus (CHIKV), four orthoflaviviruses (ZIKV, yellow fever virus [YFV], DENV, and Japanese encephalitis virus [JEV]), and two negative control samples. Mosquito-borne virus detection was assessed among 36 laboratories in 24 European countries. Adequate capabilities were lacking for YFV and JEV. Many laboratories relied on a mix of laboratory-developed tests (some of which were pan-orthoflavivirus or pan-alphavirus in combination with sequencing) and commercial assays. 47.2% of laboratories characterized all external quality assessment (EQA) samples correctly. Correct result rates were 100% for CHIKV and ZIKV and >99% for DENV, but laboratories lacked capacity, specificity, and sensitivity for JEV and YFV. Three of the viruses in this panel emerged and transiently circulated in Europe: CHIKV, ZIKV, and DENV. Molecular detection was excellent for those viruses, but