Contribution with proficiency testing scheme to mycoplasmas detection in biological products
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Abstract
In the proficiency testing modality, interlaboratory comparisons are a requirement of the quality management system used to test performance and establish the competence of test laboratories. In that sense, the Mycoplasma Diagnostic Laboratory (MYCOLAB) belonging to the National Center for Animal and Plant Health, together with the Mycoplasma Diagnostic Laboratory of the Tropical Medicine Institute “Pedro Kourí”, conducted annual rounds of proficiency testing from 2007 to 2014. The activity had a panel of reference samples representing the four main biological matrices used by the clients, contaminated with reference strains of mycoplasmas. As a result of these comparisons, the technical competence of the laboratory was demonstrated with satisfactory results during the period evaluated, the internal control of the tests used was strengthened and the diagnostic system was able to detect samples with low concentrations of mycoplasmas, which increased reliability in the results obtained by the laboratory. This activity, maintained as a policy of the MYCOLAB laboratory and the satisfactory results obtained, were essential to achieve the accreditation of microbiological tests for the detection of mycoplasmas.
Key words: proficiency testing scheme, mycoplasmas, biological products.