title: First round of external quality assessment of dengue diagnostics in the WHO Western Pacific Region, 2013.
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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors: WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research of Arbovirus and their Associated Vectors, Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore . ; Both authors contributed equally in the writing of this paper.
authors: Kwoon Yong
authors: KY
authors: Pok
authors: Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response Unit, Division of Health Security and Emergencies, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines . ; Both authors contributed equally in the writing of this paper.
authors: Raynal C
authors: RC
authors: Squires
authors: WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research of Arbovirus and their Associated Vectors, Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore .
authors: Li Kiang
authors: LK
authors: Tan
authors: National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan .
authors: Tomohiko
authors: T
authors: Takasaki
authors: WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus Reference and Research (Dengue/Severe Dengue), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre, Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia .
authors: Sazaly
authors: S
authors: Abubakar
authors: WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Tropical and Emerging Virus Diseases, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan .
authors: Futoshi
authors: F
authors: Hasebe
authors: Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response Unit, Division of Health Security and Emergencies, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines .
authors: Jeffrey
authors: J
authors: Partridge
authors: Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response Unit, Division of Health Security and Emergencies, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines .
authors: Chin Kei
authors: CK
authors: Lee
authors: Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China .
authors: Janice
authors: J
authors: Lo
authors: WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus Reference and Research, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia .
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Aaskov
authors: WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research of Arbovirus and their Associated Vectors, Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, Singapore .
authors: Lee Ching
authors: LC
authors: Ng
authors: Emerging Disease Surveillance and Response Unit, Division of Health Security and Emergencies, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines .
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Konings
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001210:Asia, Southeastern; D044362:Australasia; D003715:Dengue / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D010139:Pacific Islands; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000592:standards*; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000592:standards*; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012367:RNA, Viral