The performances of 11 Ebola virus real-time RT-PCR assays were compared.
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Five commercial kits were as least as sensitive as in-house assays.
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These kits were reliable for Ebola virus diagnosis and viral load estimation.
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A Lyophilized kit displayed high analytical sensitivity and short turnaround time.
Abstract
Background
The diagnosis of Ebola virus disease relies on the detection of viral RNA in blood by real-time reverse-transcription PCR. While several of these assays were developed during the unprecedented 2013–2015 Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa, few were applied in the field.
Objectives
To compare technical performances and practical aspects of 11 Ebola virus real-time reverse-transcription PCR procedures.
Study design
We selected the most promising assays using serial dilutions of culture-derived Ebola virus RNA and determined their analytical sensitivity and potential range of quantification using quantified in vitro transcribed RNA; viral load values in the serum of an Ebola virus disease patient obtained with these assays were reported. Finally, ease of use and turnaround times of these kits were evaluated.
Results
Commercial assays were at least as sensitive as in-house tests. Five of the former (Altona, Roche, Fast-track Diagnostics, and Life Technologies) were selected for further evaluation. Despite differences in analytical sensitivity and limits of quantification, all of them were suitable for Ebola virus diagnosis and viral load estimation. The Lifetech Lyophilized Ebola Virus (Zaire 2014) assay (Life Technologies) appeared particularly promising, displaying the highest analytical sensitivity and shortest turnaround time, in addition to requiring no reagent freezing.
Conclusions
Commercial kits were at least as sensitive as in-house tests and potentially easier to use in the field than the latter. This qualitative comparison of real-time reverse transcription PCR assays may serve as a basis for the design of future Ebola virus disease diagnostics.