TY - JOUR
T1 - Standardization of measles, mumps and rubella assays to enable comparisons of seroprevalence data across 21 European countries and Australia
AU - Tischer, A.
AU - Andrews, Nicholas
AU - Kafatos, G.
AU - Nardone, A.
AU - Berbers, G.
AU - Davidkin, I.
AU - Aboudy, Y.
AU - Backhouse, J.
AU - Barbara, C.
AU - Bartha, K.
AU - Bruckova, B.
AU - Ducks, A.
AU - Griskevicius, A.
AU - Hesketh, L.
AU - Johansen, K.
AU - Jones, L.
AU - Kuersteiner, O.
AU - Lupulescu, E.
AU - Mihneva, Z.
AU - Mrazova, M.
AU - De Ory, F.
AU - Prosenc, K.
AU - Schneider, F.
AU - Tsakris, A.
AU - Smelhausova, M.
AU - Vranckx, R.
AU - Zarvou, M.
AU - Miller, Elizbeth
PY - 2007/6
Y1 - 2007/6
N2 - The aim of the European Sero-Epidemiology Network is to establish comparability of the serological surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases in Europe. The designated reference laboratory (RL) for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) prepared and tested a panel of 151 sera by the reference enzyme immunoassay (rEIA). Laboratories in 21 countries tested the panel for antibodies against MMR using their usual assay (a total of 16 different EIAs) and the results were plotted against the reference results in order to obtain equations for the standardization of national serum surveys. The RL also tested the panel by the plaque neutralization test (PNT). Large differences in qualitative results were found compared to the RL. Well-fitting standardization equations with R2≥0.8 were obtained for almost all laboratories through regression of the quantitative results against those of the RL. When compared to PNT, the rEIA had a sensitivity of 95.3%, 92.8% and 100% and a specificity of 100%, 87.1% and 92.8% for measles, mumps and rubella, respectively. The need for standardization was highlighted by substantial inter-country differences. Standardization was successful and the selected standardization equations allowed the conversion of local serological results into common units and enabled direct comparison of seroprevalence data of the participating countries.
AB - The aim of the European Sero-Epidemiology Network is to establish comparability of the serological surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases in Europe. The designated reference laboratory (RL) for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) prepared and tested a panel of 151 sera by the reference enzyme immunoassay (rEIA). Laboratories in 21 countries tested the panel for antibodies against MMR using their usual assay (a total of 16 different EIAs) and the results were plotted against the reference results in order to obtain equations for the standardization of national serum surveys. The RL also tested the panel by the plaque neutralization test (PNT). Large differences in qualitative results were found compared to the RL. Well-fitting standardization equations with R2≥0.8 were obtained for almost all laboratories through regression of the quantitative results against those of the RL. When compared to PNT, the rEIA had a sensitivity of 95.3%, 92.8% and 100% and a specificity of 100%, 87.1% and 92.8% for measles, mumps and rubella, respectively. The need for standardization was highlighted by substantial inter-country differences. Standardization was successful and the selected standardization equations allowed the conversion of local serological results into common units and enabled direct comparison of seroprevalence data of the participating countries.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34547465803&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S0950268807008266
DO - 10.1017/S0950268807008266
M3 - Article
C2 - 17394675
AN - SCOPUS:34547465803
SN - 0950-2688
VL - 135
SP - 787
EP - 798
JO - Epidemiology and Infection
JF - Epidemiology and Infection
IS - 5
ER -
