During the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, robust detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a key element for clinical management and to interrupt transmission chains. We organized an external quality assessment (EQA) of molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 for European expert laboratories. An EQA panel composed of 12 samples, containing either SARS-CoV-2 at different concentrations to evaluate sensitivity or other respiratory viruses to evaluate specificity of SARS-CoV-2 testing, was distributed to 68 laboratories in 35 countries. ABSTRACT During the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, robust detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a key element for clinical management and to interrupt transmission chains. We organized an external quality assessment (EQA) of molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 for European expert laboratories. An EQA panel composed of 12 samples, containing either SARS-CoV-2 at different concentrations to evaluate sensitivity or other respiratory viruses to evaluate specificity of SARS-CoV-2 testing, was distributed to 68 laboratories in 35 countries. Specificity samples included seasonal human coronaviruses hCoV-229E, hCoV-NL63, and hCoV-OC43, as well as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), SARS-CoV, and human influenza viruses A and B. Sensitivity results differed among laboratories, particularly for low-concentration SARS-CoV-2 samples. Results indicated that performance was mostly independent of the selection of specific extraction or PCR methods.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Europe, diagnostics, EQA, molecular, 【초록키워드】 coronavirus disease, viruses, Coronavirus disease 2019, coronavirus, SARS-CoV, Influenza, HCoV-OC43, Transmission, Influenza virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus, MERS-CoV, Laboratory, sensitivity, specificity, PCR, SARS-CoV-2 testing, outbreak, HCoV, Clinical management, Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus, influenza viruses, respiratory, OC43, HCoV-NL63, Concentration, Other respiratory viruses, Middle East, independent of, acute respiratory syndrome, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, respiratory syndrome coronavirus, European, independent, robust, human coronavirus, Result, evaluate, indicated, composed, other respiratory virus, organized, 【제목키워드】 detection, Quality, assessment, variable, European, expert, External,