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 Vol. 63; no. 1; 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: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Society for Microbiology 31.01.2025
• Subjects: Aedes - virology; Animals; Chikungunya Fever - diagnosis; Chikungunya virus - genetics; Chikungunya virus - isolation & purification; Dengue - diagnosis; Dengue - virology; Dengue Virus - genetics; Dengue Virus - isolation & purification; Encephalitis Virus, Japanese - genetics; Encephalitis Virus, Japanese - isolation & purification; Europe; Humans; Laboratories - standards; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques - methods; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques - standards; Mosquito Vectors - virology; Virology; Yellow Fever - diagnosis; Yellow Fever - virology; Yellow fever virus - genetics; Yellow fever virus - isolation & purification; Zika Virus - genetics; Zika Virus - isolation & purification; Zika Virus Infection - diagnosis; Europe; yellow fever virus; EQA; zika virus; dengue virus; Japanese encephalitis virus; alphavirus; chikungunya virus; external quality assessment; orthoflavivirus; arbovirus
• ISSN: 0095-1137; 1098-660X; 1098-660X
• DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00910-24

The external quality assessment (EQA) focused on Aedes -borne viruses: chikungunya virus (CHIKV), dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and yellow fever virus (YFV). Japanese encephalitis virus, an orthoflavivirus that is spread by mosquito species belonging to the genus Culex , was included in the quality assessment as well. CHIKV, DENV, and ZIKV have proven potential for transient and limited circulation in Europe upon introduction of viremic travelers returning to Aedes albopictus -endemic regions. Results of this EQA were excellent for those viruses, but <50% is accurate for the remainder of the panel (YFV and Japanese encephalitis virus). Considering imported cases and the threat of climate change and competent vector expansion, progress toward rapid, accurate mosquito-borne virus diagnostics in Europe is recommended.