Multicenter quality assessment of PCR methods for detection of enteroviruses

We conducted a multicenter evaluation of commercial and in-house PCR method s for the detection of enteroviruses. Three coded panels of test and contro l RNA samples, artificial clinical specimens, and representative enteroviru s serotypes were used to assess amplification methods, RNA extraction metho ds, and reactivities with different enterovirus serotypes. Despite several: differences between PCR methods, there was good agreement, although some v ariation in sensitivity was observed. Most PCR methods were able to detect enterovirus RNA derived from 0.01 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50 ) and were able to detect at least 1 TCID50 of enterovirus in cerebrospinal fluid, stool, or throat swab specimens. Most were also able to detect a wi de range of enterovirus serotypes, although serotypic identification was no t possible. Some laboratories experienced false-positive results due to PCR contamination, which appeared to result mainly from cross-contamination of specimens during RNA extraction. Provided that this problem is overcome, t hese PCR methods will prove to be a sensitive and rapid alternative to cell culture for the diagnosis of enterovirus infection.