External quality assessment scheme for parasite serology; a review of the scheme design and performance

Abstract

BackgroundAn external quality assessment (EQA) scheme for parasite serology was introduced in April 2005 as a tool to measure how well laboratories were performing in parasite serodiagnosis.Aim and MethodsTo review the scheme design and performance from its beginning until January 2008.ResultsThe numbers of participating laboratories gradually increased during the review period and was 28 in January 2008. The results showed that the standard of reporting was extremely high and there was an encouraging trend towards improvement in the overall percentage of correct reports. The most common error made was the returning of false negative results for Strongyloides antibodies.ConclusionIt is hoped that this scheme will lead to a more standardised approach to the serological diagnosis of parasitic infection.