The impact of laboratory characteristics on molecular detection of respiratory syncytial virus in a European multicentre quality control study

• Published in: Clinical microbiology and infection Vol. 14; no. 12; pp. 1173 - 1176
• Main Authors: Meerhoff, T.J., MacKay, W.G., Meijer, A., Paget, W.J., Niesters, H.G.M., Kimpen, J.L.L., Schellevis, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2008; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Wiley-Blackwell
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Diagnostics; Europe; Health Services Research; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques - methods; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques - standards; multicentre; nucleic amplification technique; quality control; Respiratory syncytial virus; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections - diagnosis; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses - genetics; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses - isolation & purification; sensitivity; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the respiratory system and ent viral diseases; Europe; Diagnostics; quality control; Europe; sensitivity; multicentre; respiratory syncytial virus; nucleic amplification technique; Human respiratory syncytial virus; Pneumovirinae; Respiratory disease; Laboratory; Paramyxoviridae; Virus; Infection; Respiratory tract; Mononegavirales; Sensitivity; Characteristics; Quality control; Diagnosis; Technique; Pneumovirus
• ISSN: 1198-743X; 1469-0691
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2008.02100.x

The performance of nucleic acid amplification techniques for detecting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was evaluated in 25 laboratories across Europe by an external quality assessment study. In addition, factors related to the diagnostic performance of laboratories were explored. The results of this quality control study show that the performance of laboratories for RSV diagnosis in Europe is good, with an overall correct score of 88%. The type of assay (nested or real-time PCR vs. commercial tests) was identified as a significant factor (OR 8.39; 95% CI 1.91–36.78) in predicting a correct result.