First international external quality assessment scheme of nucleic acid amplification tests for the detection of Schistosoma and soil-transmitted helminths, including Strongyloides: A pilot study.
Piet CoolsLisette van LieshoutRob KoelewijnDavid AddissSitara S R AjjampurMio AyanaRichard S BradburyJason L CanteraDaniel DanaKerstin FischerRubina ImtiazJoyce KabagenyiJames LokJames McCarthyRojelio MejiaZeleke MekonnenSammy M NjengaNurulhasanah OthmanHongguang ShaoRebecca TraubMarjan Van EsbroeckJozef VercruysseJohnny VlaminckSteven A WilliamsJaco J VerweijJaap J van HellemondBruno LeveckePublished in: PLoS neglected tropical diseases (2020)
We showed the technical feasibility of an international EQAS for the NAAT of STHs, Strongyloides and Schistosoma. In addition, we documented that there are clear benefits for participating laboratories, as they can confirm and/or improve the diagnostic performance of their NAATs. Further research should aim to identify factors that explain poor performance of NAATs.