Zika detection: comparison of methodologies

ABSTRACT Many countries in the Americas have detected local transmission of multiple arboviruses that cause febrile illnesses. Therefore, laboratory testing has become an important tool for confirming the etiology of these diseases. The present study aimed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of three different Zika virus detection assays. One hundred serum samples from patients presenting with acute febrile symptoms were tested using a previously reported TaqMan® RT-qPCR assay. We used a SYBR® Green RT-qPCR and a conventional PCR methodologies to compare the results. Of the samples that were determined to be negative by the TaqMan® RT-qPCR assay, 100% (Kappa = 0.670) were also found to be negative by SYBR® Green RT-qPCR based on Tm comparison; however, 14% (Kappa = 0.035) were found to be positive by conventional PCR followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The differences between the ZIKV strains circulating worldwide and the low viremia period can compromise diagnostic accuracy and thereby the accuracy of outbreak data. Therefore, improved assays are required to improve the diagnosis and surveillance of arbovirus.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Colombo,Tatiana Elias, Terzian,Ana Carolina Bernardes, Araújo Júnior,João Pessoa, Parreira,Ricardo, Cabrera,Eliana Márcia Sotello, Santos,Izalco Nuremberg Penha dos, Reis,Andréia Francesli Negri, Costa,Fabiana Rodrigues, Cruz,Lilian Elisa Arão Antônio, Rombola,Patrícia Lopes, Nogueira,Maurício Lacerda
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia 2018
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1517-83822018000100144
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