ABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Humans , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Zika Virus/isolation & purification , Zika Virus Infection/virology , RNA, Viral/genetics , Sensitivity and Specificity , Zika Virus/classification , Zika Virus/genetics , Zika Virus Infection/diagnosisABSTRACT
SUMMARY The natural co-infection with dengue virus can occur in highly endemic areas where different serotypes have been observed for many years. We report one case of DENV-1/DENV-4 co-infection in human serum detected by molecular tests. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences obtained indicated the presence of genotype V and II for DENV-1 and DENV-4, respectively. .
RESUMO A co-infecção por dengue vírus pode ocorrer em áreas com circulação endêmica, nas quais diferentes sorotipos vêm circulando durante muitos anos. Neste trabalho relatamos um caso de co-infecção por DENV-1/DENV-4 em soro humano, detectado por testes moleculares. Análises filogenéticas das sequências obtidas indicaram a presença do genótipo V e II de DENV-1 e DENV-4, respectivamente. .