Mary Sushi K, Mini Jacob S, Viswanath R, Parameshwari S, Samuel NM; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. B11136.
Dept.of Experimental Medicine, Chennai, India
Background: The Department of Experimental Medicine is recognized as the National Reference Laboratory (NRL). The External Quality Assurance Scheme (EQAS) is implemented since 2001. The objective of EQAS is standard quality of testing & maintain consistency. It checks the validity of results generated from the Voluntary Counseling & Testing Centres (VCTC). Sentinel surveillance samples were tested for HIV, HBsAg, and HCV using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Method: A total of 3745 serum samples of which 3488 for ( HIV), 152 for (HbsAg) & 105 serum samples for HCV were tested in the NRL. Kits used for HIV (Vironostika), HBsAg (BIORAD), HCV (Microlisa). Every 20th negative & 5th positive samples was tested in the EQAS. These samples were from the 120 sites of VCTC. These VCTC are located in the rural areas of Southern India. Result: Out of 3488 samples 9 samples equal to the cutoff value were positive for HIV.1 sample positive for HIV was negative. 2 samples negative for HIV were positive in the NRL. In HbsAg testing 7 samples positive were negative by BIORAD. Retesting of samples in EQAS periodically ensures the correct serodiagnosis. The analysis, errors & follow up is an ongoing process in the EQAS. Precision & accuracy is achieved when a test can produce the same result each time. Conclusion: The results check that the assays are being performed in an accurate, efficient and reproducible manner. The sentinel surveillance in an indicator for the seroprevalence and the EQAS in resource constrained setting will enhance standard of HIV,HCV,HBsAg testing. Periodical trainings in the EQAS provides an opportunity to improve the laboratory performance. The VCTC linked to a NRL on a continuing basis in the EQAS will ensure that a test is working to the highest standard
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Counseling
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- India
- Laboratories
- Quality Control
- Research Design
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Serologic Tests
Other ID:
UI: 102276613
From Meeting Abstracts