C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae

Summary

ACCREDITATION STATUS:

Within scope of accreditation

CLINICAL APPLICATION:

These two organisms remain the main etiological agents of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide and can cause a large financial burden on health services. WHO estimated in the Global Burden of Disease 2008 that C. trachomatis accounted for 105.7 million new cases of STIs in adults. N. gonorrhoeae accounted for 106.1 million of those new cases. Nucleic acid amplification testing has become a prominent diagnostic tool in the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections due to its increased sensitivity and specificity.

PURPOSE OF PROGRAMME:

To provide EQA for laboratories determining the presence of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae in either vaginal or urine specimens.

MATERIAL PROVIDED: Freeze dried simulated vaginal swab. Simulated urine and vaginal swab.

DISTRIBUTIONS PER YEAR: 3

SAMPLES PER DISTRIBUTION: 4

FREQUENCY OF DISTRIBUTION:

Analysis

PROGRAMME OF ANALYSIS:

Results are entered online via the UK NEQAS secure website. The distribution is open for three weeks. Intended results are usually uploaded the day after closing date. Late results are not accepted after intended results are uploaded.

DATA ANALYSIS:

Qualitative detection, consensus. General descriptive statistics.

Performance

PERFORMANCE SCORING:

See scoring policy

PERFORMANCE MONITORING:

See information on performance monitoring

PERSISTENT POOR PERFORMANCE:

See the Annual Directory for UK and Irish participants only

About the Centre

Microbiology

The first distribution of UK NEQAS for Microbiology was sent out by the then Public Health Laboratory Services on the 1^st of May 1971 organised by Dr Peter Crone. This distribution consisted of one scheme, three bacteriology specimens, sent to 67 laboratories in the UK. One of our recent distributions consisted of 12 different schemes, comprising 8 bacteriology, 13 serology, 10 molecular and 9 mycology specimens, and sent to 53 countries representing over 1300 laboratories. UK NEQAS for Microbiology, operated by UK Health Security Agency, is a UKAS accredited proficiency testing provider No. 4715. For the most up-to-date scheme information (including any pilot schemes) please contact the centre directly.

Contact Details

Microbiology

UK NEQAS for Microbiology
UK Health Security Agency
PO Box 63003
London
NW9 5HT

Telephone: +44 (0) 208 905 9890
Fax: +44 (0) 208 205 1488
Email: organiser@ukneqasmicro.org.uk
Web: http://www.ukneqasmicro.org.uk/

Data Entry