Laboratory assessment of a multi-target assay for the rapid detection of viruses causing vesicular diseases

BACKGROUND: The recent mpox outbreak has highlighted the need to rapidly diagnose the causative agents of viral vesicular disease to inform treatment and control measures. Common causes of vesicular disease include Monkeypox virus (MPXV), clades I and II, Herpes simplex viruses Type 1 and Type 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6), Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and Enteroviruses (EVs). Here, we assessed a syndromic viral vesicular panel for rapid and simultaneous detection of these 7 targets in a single cartridge. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the QIAStat-Dx ® viral vesicular (VV) panel and compare with laboratory developed tests (LDTs). Limit of detection, inter-run variability, cross-reactivity and specificity were assessed. Positive and negative percent agreement, and correlation between assays was determined using 124 clinical samples from multiple anatomical sites. RESULTS: The overall concordance between the QIAstat and LDTs was 96%. Positive percent agreement was 82% for HHV-6, 89% for HSV-1 and 100% for MPXV, HSV-2, EV and VZV. Negative percent agreement was 100% for all targets assessed. There was no cross-reactivity with Vaccinia, Orf, Molluscum contagiosum viruses, and a pooled respiratory panel. CONCLUSION: The QIAstat VV multi-target syndromic panel combine ease of use, rapid turnaround, good sensitivity and specificity for enhanced diagnosis, clinical care and public health responses.