scholarly journals International Interlaboratory Proficiency Testing Program for Measurement of Azole Antifungal Plasma Concentrations

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 303-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger J. M. Brüggemann ◽  
Daan J. Touw ◽  
Rob E. Aarnoutse ◽  
Paul E. Verweij ◽  
David M. Burger
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Research ◽  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Analytical Methods ◽  
Patient Management ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Testing Program ◽  
Azole Antifungals

ABSTRACT An international interlaboratory proficiency testing program for the measurement of antifungal drugs was initiated in 2007. This first round was limited to azole antifungals: fluconazole, itraconazole and hydroxyitraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole. The results demonstrate the need for and utility of an ongoing proficiency testing program to further improve the analytical methods for routine patient management and clinical research.

scholarly journals French Laboratory Proficiency Testing Program for Food Microbiology

2002 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 952-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Christophe Augustin ◽  
Vincent Carlier
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Clostridium Perfringens ◽  
Analytical Methods ◽  
Food Microbiology ◽  
Testing Program ◽  
French Laboratory ◽  
Coagulase Positive Staphylococcus

Abstract The proficiency testing program in food microbiology (Réseau d' Analyses et d'Echanges en Microbiologie des Aliments; RAEMA), created in 1988, currently includes 440 participating laboratories. The program establishes proficiency in detection of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, as well as quantitation of aerobic microorganisms, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, and Listeria monocytogenes. Twice a year, 5 test samples are sent to participants to assess their precision and trueness for enumeration and detection of microorganisms. Results show an increasing involvement of food microbiology laboratories in quality assurance programs and use of standard and validated analytical methods. However, the percentage of laboratories obtaining questionable and unsatisfactory microbiological results remains relatively onstant.

Results of the Center for Disease Control Proficiency Testing Program for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen

1976 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-39
Author(s):  
R N Taylor ◽  
K M Fulford
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Disease Control ◽  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Surface Antigen ◽  
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽  
Latex Agglutination ◽  
Lower Sensitivity ◽  
Passive Hemagglutination ◽  
Testing Program ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness

The changes in the types and numbers of tests used by participants in the Center for Disease Control Proficiency Testing Program for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen from the beginning of the program in 1971 until October 1975 are analyzed; the implications of these changes are discussed. Changes in the use of agar gel diffusion, rheophoresis, counterelectrophoresis, complement fixation, reverse passive latex agglutination, radioimmunoassay, and reverse passive hemagglutination tests are reviewed. The performance of the participants for 1975 is reported, and factors related to performance (type or combinations of tests used, procedures used to confirm specificity, etc.) are discussed. The increase in the use of third-generation tests in place of tests with lower sensitivity and the decrease in the use of multiple tests undoubtedly represent increased efficiency and effectiveness.

scholarly journals Benefits of a Pharmacology Antimalarial Reference Standard and Proficiency Testing Program Provided by the Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN)

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 3889-3894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Lourens ◽  
Niklas Lindegardh ◽  
Karen I. Barnes ◽  
Philippe J. Guerin ◽  
Carol H. Sibley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Antimalarial Drug ◽  
Drug Exposure ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
Internal Standards ◽  
Resistance Network ◽  
Antimalarial Resistance ◽  
Different Populations

ABSTRACTComprehensive assessment of antimalarial drug resistance should include measurements of antimalarial blood or plasma concentrations in clinical trials and in individual assessments of treatment failure so that true resistance can be differentiated from inadequate drug exposure. Pharmacometric modeling is necessary to assess pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships in different populations to optimize dosing. To accomplish both effectively and to allow comparison of data from different laboratories, it is essential that drug concentration measurement is accurate. Proficiency testing (PT) of laboratory procedures is necessary for verification of assay results. Within the Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN), the goal of the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program is to facilitate and sustain high-quality antimalarial assays. The QA/QC program consists of an international PT program for pharmacology laboratories and a reference material (RM) program for the provision of antimalarial drug standards, metabolites, and internal standards for laboratory use. The RM program currently distributes accurately weighed quantities of antimalarial drug standards, metabolites, and internal standards to 44 pharmacology,in vitro, and drug quality testing laboratories. The pharmacology PT program has sent samples to eight laboratories in four rounds of testing. WWARN technical experts have provided advice for correcting identified problems to improve performance of subsequent analysis and ultimately improved the quality of data. Many participants have demonstrated substantial improvements over subsequent rounds of PT. The WWARN QA/QC program has improved the quality and value of antimalarial drug measurement in laboratories globally. It is a model that has potential to be applied to strengthening laboratories more widely and improving the therapeutics of other infectious diseases.

Variability in Testing for Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies: A Survey of Participants in the College of American Pathologists Proficiency Testing Program

2016 ◽  
Vol 140 (6) ◽  
pp. 524-528
Author(s):  
William J. Karlon ◽  
Stanley J. Naides ◽  
John T. Crosson ◽  
Mohammad Qasim Ansari
Keyword(s):  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies ◽  
Testing Program ◽  
Acceptable Alternative ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Comprehensive Information ◽  
Testing Algorithms ◽  
Testing Practices ◽  
Current Guidelines ◽  
Multiplex Bead

Context.—Variability in testing for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) contributes to confusion and controversy related to testing for vasculitis and other ANCA-associated diseases. Objectives.—To survey laboratory testing practices regarding ANCA testing and to investigate differences in testing algorithms. Design.—Supplemental questions were sent to the 333 laboratories participating in the College of American Pathologists proficiency testing program for ANCA as part of the Special Immunology S2 Survey. Results.—A total of 315 laboratories submitted responses to the supplemental questions. Only 88 of 315 participants (28%) reported using a combination of indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) techniques as recommended by current guidelines, with a few additional labs using IFA and multiplex bead assay as an acceptable alternative to EIA. Other labs reported using only IFA, EIA, or multiplex bead assays. Conclusions.—A wide variety of testing algorithms are in use for ANCA testing despite evidence to suggest that a combination of IFA and EIA testing provides the most comprehensive information. Laboratories should inform clinicians clearly about testing practices and utility of testing in specific disease states.

Center for disease control diagnostic immunology proficiency testing program results for 1976

1977 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-232
Author(s):  
R N Taylor ◽  
K M Fulford ◽  
A Przybyszewski ◽  
V Pope
Keyword(s):  
Disease Control ◽  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽  
Testing Program ◽  
Proficiency Levels ◽  
Clinical Laboratories ◽  
Individual Laboratory ◽  
Specific Proteins ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Testing Protocols

Over 900 laboratories participated in the Diagnostic Immunology portion of the 1976 Proficiency Testing Program, which was provided by the Center of Disease Control under the authority of the Clinical Laboratories Improvement Act of 1967. One hundred specimens prepared by the Center for Disease Control for analysis were distributed on a quarterly schedule or in special surveys. Feedback from participating laboratories included over 37,500 qualitative and 33,000 quantitative responses, which were analyzed to determine individual laboratory proficiency levels. In addition, information supplied by participants in each survey helped to delineate trends in testing protocols. The specimens chosen for analysis called for a broad range of tests commonly performed in diagnostic immunology laboratories, including those for rubella antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen, bacterial antibodies, rheumatoid factor, immunoglobulins and other serum-specific proteins, and carcinoembryonic antigen. A summary of the data analysis is provided so that the laboratories can improve their overall performance levels.

Discrepancies in carcinoembryonic antigen measurements: survey and control values vs values for patients.

1987 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 563-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
G G Klee ◽  
L A Dodge ◽  
G Reynoso
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Carcinoembryonic Antigen ◽  
Enzyme Immunoassay ◽  
Colon Carcinoma ◽  
Proficiency Testing ◽  
Analytical Methods ◽  
Test Results ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Metastatic Colon Carcinoma

Abstract We analyzed the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test results reported in the College of American Pathologists' (CAP) surveys to determine the relationship between the source of CEA used to manufacture the survey specimens and the discrepancies among analytical methods. With the 1983 survey specimens, which were prepared from metastatic colon carcinoma, laboratories using Roche RIA with Clinetics columns reported results that were only one-half the values reported by laboratories using the Abbott polyclonal enzyme immunoassay. With the 1984 specimens, prepared from a different metastatic colon carcinoma, and the 1985 specimens, prepared from a tissue-culture source of CEA, the Roche results were about one-sixth as large as the Abbott results. These differences are larger than the reported assay differences for patients' specimens. In addition, twofold proportional differences were found when survey and control specimens were tested with different lots of Abbott polyclonal reagent, whereas only random differences were found with 102 patients' specimens. Evidently, assay systems perform differently with proficiency-testing and control specimens than with patients' specimens.

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