Highlights • Most vector-borne viruses like alphaviruses are not included in routine diagnostics • Lack of testing results in misdiagnoses and underdetection • A new multiplexed real-time PCR assay detects all human pathogenic alphaviruses • The new multiplex assay is more sensitive than available tests and highly specific • The multiplex test can be applied broadly for diagnostics and molecular surveillance Abstract Background Knowledge of epidemiology, pathogenesis, and public health burden is scarce for many arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). Insufficient knowledge is partly due to lack of exhaustive laboratory diagnostics due to resource limitations . Among arboviruses , arthritogenic and encephalitogenic alphaviruses are globally widespread, can cause severe disease, and can co-occur regionally. Objectives We developed and validated a multiplexed real-time reverse transcription-PCR assay for the detection of all alphaviruses commonly causing...
Media Monitoring for Signals about Emerging Threats