A Systematic Evaluation of IgM and IgG Antibody Assay Accuracy in Diagnosing Acute Zika Virus Infection in Brazil: Lessons Relevant to Emerging Infections

Accurate diagnostics underpin effective public health responses to emerging viruses. For viruses, such as Zika virus (ZIKV), where the viremia clears quickly, antibody-based (IgM or IgG) diagnostics are recommended for patients who present 7 days after symptom onset. However, cross-reactive antibody responses can complicate test interpretation among populations where closely related viruses circulate. We examined the accuracy (proportion of samples correctly categorized as Zika positive or negative) for antibody-based diagnostics among Brazilian residents (Rio de Janeiro) during the ZIKV outbreak. Four ZIKV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs; IgM and IgG Euroimmun, IgM Novagnost, and CDC MAC), two dengue ELISAs (IgM and IgG Panbio), and the ZIKV plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) were evaluated. Positive samples were ZIKV PCR confirmed clinical cases collected in 2015-2016 (n = 169); negative samples (n = 236) were collected before ZIKV was present in Brazil (<= 2013). Among serum samples collected >= 7 days from symptom onset, PRNT exhibited the highest accuracy (93.7%), followed by the Euroimmun IgG ELISA (77.9%). All IgM assays exhibited lower accuracy (,75%). IgG was detected more consistently than IgM among ZIKV cases using Euroimmun ELISAs (68% versus 22%). Anti-dengue virus IgM ELISA was positive in 41.1% of confirmed ZIKV samples tested. The Euroimmun IgG assay, although misdiagnosing 22% of samples, provided the most accurate ELISA. Anti-ZIKV IgG was detected more reliably than IgM among ZIKV patients, suggesting a secondary antibody response to assay antigens following ZIKV infection. Antibody ELISAs need careful evaluation in their target population to optimize use and minimize misdiagnosis, prior to widespread deployment, particularly where related viruses cocirculate.

Automated summary

Accurate diagnostics are essential for effective public health responses to emerging viruses like Zika virus. A study in Brazil during the ZIKV outbreak found that PRNT and Euroimmun IgG ELISA demonstrated the highest accuracy for antibody-based diagnostics, while IgM assays had lower accuracy. Evaluating the performance of antibody ELISAs in target populations is crucial to minimize misdiagnosis.