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Bankamp B, Anderson R, Hao L, Lopareva E, Chen MH, Kim G, Beard RS, Mori Y, Otsuki N, Ryo A, Rota PA. Building Quality Control for Molecular Assays in the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:824. [PMID: 39203950 PMCID: PMC11359200 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12080824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
More than 100 laboratories in the World Health Organization Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network (GMRLN) perform nucleic acid-based methods for case confirmation of measles or rubella infections and/or strain surveillance (genotyping). The quality of laboratory data is critical to ensure that diagnostic results and country reports to regional verification committees are based on accurate data. A molecular External Quality Assurance (mEQA) program was initiated by the US-CDC in 2014 to evaluate the performance of laboratories in the network. The inclusion of testing for measles and rubella viruses, with a focus on detection and genotyping, plus the diversity of assays and platforms employed required a flexible and comprehensive proficiency testing program. A stepwise introduction of new evaluation criteria gradually increased the stringency of the proficiency testing program, while giving laboratories time to implement the required changes. The mEQA program plays an important role in many processes in the GMRLN, including informing plans for the training of laboratory staff, access to reagents, and the submission of sequence data to global databases. The EQA program for Local Public Health Institutes in Japan is described as an example for national mEQA programs. As more laboratories initiate molecular testing, the mEQA will need to continue to expand and to adapt to the changing landscape for molecular testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Bankamp
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (R.A.); (L.H.); (E.L.); (M.-h.C.); (G.K.); (R.S.B.)
| | - Raydel Anderson
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (R.A.); (L.H.); (E.L.); (M.-h.C.); (G.K.); (R.S.B.)
| | - Lijuan Hao
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (R.A.); (L.H.); (E.L.); (M.-h.C.); (G.K.); (R.S.B.)
| | - Elena Lopareva
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (R.A.); (L.H.); (E.L.); (M.-h.C.); (G.K.); (R.S.B.)
| | - Min-hsin Chen
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (R.A.); (L.H.); (E.L.); (M.-h.C.); (G.K.); (R.S.B.)
| | - Gimin Kim
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (R.A.); (L.H.); (E.L.); (M.-h.C.); (G.K.); (R.S.B.)
| | - R. Suzanne Beard
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (R.A.); (L.H.); (E.L.); (M.-h.C.); (G.K.); (R.S.B.)
| | - Yoshio Mori
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan; (Y.M.); (N.O.); (A.R.)
| | - Noriyuki Otsuki
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan; (Y.M.); (N.O.); (A.R.)
| | - Akihido Ryo
- Department of Virology III, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan; (Y.M.); (N.O.); (A.R.)
| | - Paul A. Rota
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (R.A.); (L.H.); (E.L.); (M.-h.C.); (G.K.); (R.S.B.)
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