Diagnostic Accuracy of Real Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction for Chikungunya Virus Detection: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
4 affiliations
- 1Postgraduate Program in Medicine and Health Federal University of Bahia Salvador Bahia Brazil
- 2Fundação José Silveira Salvador Bahia Brazil
- 3Fundação Bahiana de Infectologia Salvador Bahia Brazil
- 4Institute of Health Sciences ‐ Virology Laboratory, Federal University of Bahia Salvador Bahia Brazil
Abstract
Background: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus that causes an acute febrile illness with intense muscle and joint pain, with the possibility of progressing to a chronic or neurological stage. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis with the aim of evaluating the accuracy of real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) protocols for detecting CHIKV during the acute phase of symptoms.
Methods: We searched the literature until December 5, 2024, including English, Portuguese, and Spanish, with no time restriction in PubMed, LILACS, and Web of Science. Studies that evaluated RT‐qPCR protocols compared to reference techniques such as viral isolation or validated RT‐qPCRs were included in the study. We collected data on sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, study design and methodological characteristics of RT‐qPCR. Quadas‐2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias and applicability. Subsequently, a meta‐analysis and meta‐regression were performed.
Results: Twenty‐eight protocols were included in this systematic review, 28 index tests were extracted and 24 were included in quantitative analysis. According to meta‐analysis, RT‐qPCR for CHIKV detection had a combined accuracy of 96% (95% CI: 94 to 99%) and a summary sensitivity and specificity of 99.7% and 99.7%, respectively; however, the results need to be interpreted considering the high heterogeneity (78.1%) and publication bias (p = 0.002).
Conclusion: RT‐qPCR is a highly accurate technique for detecting the Chikungunya virus during the acute phase of symptoms. Despite the high heterogeneity observed, all subgroup analyses demonstrated high overall performance.
Related
- Performance of recombinase polymerase amplification assay for cutaneous leishmaniasis detection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- From underdiagnosis to scalable screening: Applications of artificial intelligence for vertebral compression fracture detection – a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic performance
- Improving Antibiotic Stewardship Through a Retrospective Study of the Diagnostic Value of Nasal Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Polymerase Chain Reaction for Pneumonia in Intensive Care Unit Settings
- Diagnostic Performance of Deep Learning Using Retinal Images for Detection of Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Detection of persistent viremia by a live attenuated vaccine strain of the chikungunya virus in a blood donor
BibTeX
@article{costa2026diagnostic,
title = {{Diagnostic Accuracy of Real Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction for Chikungunya Virus Detection: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis}},
author = {Róger J. Costa and Cleyde S. C. Marconi and Gleice K. Jesus and Gabriel O. Franco and Abevailton M. Silva and Maria B. Arriaga and Gúbio C. Soares and Silvia I. Sardi and Eduardo M. Netto},
journal = {Tropical Medicine \& International Health},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1111/tmi.70203},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.70203},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Diagnostic Accuracy of Real Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction for Chikungunya Virus Detection: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
AU - Róger J. Costa
AU - Cleyde S. C. Marconi
AU - Gleice K. Jesus
AU - Gabriel O. Franco
AU - Abevailton M. Silva
AU - Maria B. Arriaga
AU - Gúbio C. Soares
AU - Silvia I. Sardi
AU - Eduardo M. Netto
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/15
JO - Tropical Medicine & International Health
DO - 10.1111/tmi.70203
UR - https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.70203
AB - Background: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus that causes an acute febrile illness with intense muscle and joint pain, with the possibility of progressing to a chronic or neurological stage. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis with the aim of evaluating the accuracy of real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) protocols for detecting CHIKV during the acute phase of symptoms. Methods: We searched the literature until December 5, 2024, including English, Portuguese, and Spanish, with no time restriction in PubMed, LILACS, and Web of Science. Studies that evaluated RT‐qPCR protocols compared to reference techniques such as viral isolation or validated RT‐qPCRs were included in the study. We collected data on sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, study design and methodological characteristics of RT‐qPCR. Quadas‐2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias and applicability. Subsequently, a meta‐analysis and meta‐regression were performed. Results: Twenty‐eight protocols were included in this systematic review, 28 index tests were extracted and 24 were included in quantitative analysis. According to meta‐analysis, RT‐qPCR for CHIKV detection had a combined accuracy of 96% (95% CI: 94 to 99%) and a summary sensitivity and specificity of 99.7% and 99.7%, respectively; however, the results need to be interpreted considering the high heterogeneity (78.1%) and publication bias (p = 0.002). Conclusion: RT‐qPCR is a highly accurate technique for detecting the Chikungunya virus during the acute phase of symptoms. Despite the high heterogeneity observed, all subgroup analyses demonstrated high overall performance.
SN - 1360-2276
SN - 1365-3156
ER -