First round of external quality assessment of dengue diagnostics in the WHO Western Pacific Region, 2013

Authors

  • Kwoon Yong Pok World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research of Arbovirus and their Associated Vectors, Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore
  • Raynal C Squires Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific
  • Li Kiang Tan World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research of Arbovirus and their Associated Vectors, Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore
  • Tomohiko Takasaki National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
  • Sazaly Abubakar Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre, Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Futoshi Hasebe Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
  • Jeffrey Partridge World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
  • Chin Kei Lee World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
  • Janice Lo Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, Hong Kong
  • John Aaskov World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus Reference and Research, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
  • Frank Konings World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2015.6.1.017

Abstract

Objective: Accurate laboratory testing is a critical component of dengue surveillance and control. The objective of this programme was to assess dengue diagnostic proficiency among national-level public health laboratories in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region.

Methods: Nineteen national-level public health laboratories performed routine dengue diagnostic assays on a proficiency testing panel consisting of two modules: one containing commercial serum samples spiked with cultured dengue viruses for the detection of nucleic acid and non-structural protein 1 (NS1) (Module A) and one containing human serum samples for the detection of anti-dengue virus antibodies (Module B). A review of logistics arrangements was also conducted.

Results: All 16 laboratories testing Module A performed reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for both RNA and serotype detection. Of these, 15 had correct results for RNA detection and all 16 correctly serotyped the viruses. All nine laboratories performing NS1 antigen detection obtained the correct results. Sixteen of the 18 laboratories using IgM assays in Module B obtained the correct results as did the 13 laboratories that performed IgG assays. Detection of ongoing/recent dengue virus infection by both molecular (RT-PCR) and serological methods (IgM) was available in 15/19 participating laboratories.

Discussion: This first round of external quality assessment of dengue diagnostics was successfully conducted in national-level public health laboratories in the WHO Western Pacific Region, revealing good proficiency in both molecular and serological testing. Further comprehensive diagnostic testing for dengue virus and other priority pathogens in the Region will be assessed during future rounds.

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Published

30-06-2015

How to Cite

1.
Pok KY, Squires RC, Tan LK, Takasaki T, Abubakar S, Hasebe F, Partridge J, Lee CK, Lo J, Aaskov J, Konings F. First round of external quality assessment of dengue diagnostics in the WHO Western Pacific Region, 2013. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2015 Jun. 30 [cited 2026 Apr. 2];6(2). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/317

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2015): April – June

Section

Original Research

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