Journal Article

An inter- laboratory proficiency testing exercise for rabies diagnosis in Latin America and the Caribbean

Vigilato, Marco A., Del Rio-Vilas, Victor J., Freire de Carvalho, Mary H., Greenberg, Lauren, Ellison, James A., Yager, Pamela A., Green, Douglas B., Velasco-Villa, Andres, Cosivi, Ottorino, Clavijo, Alfonso, Orciari, Lillian A.

2017

Overview

The direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA), is performed in all rabies reference laboratories across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Despite DFA being a critical capacity in the control of rabies, there is not a standardized protocol in the region. We describe the results of the first inter-laboratory proficiency exercise of national rabies laboratories in LAC countries as part of the regional efforts towards dog-maintained rabies elimination in the American region. Twenty three laboratories affiliated to the Ministries of Health and Ministries of Agriculture participated in this exercise. In addition, the laboratories completed an online questionnaire to assess laboratory practices. Answers to the online questionnaire indicated large variability in the laboratories throughput, equipment used, protocols availability, quality control standards and biosafety requirements. Our results will inform actions to improve and harmonize laboratory rabies capacities across LAC in support for the regional efforts towards elimination of dog-maintained rabies.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Animals / Antigens / Biology and Life Sciences / Biosafety / Brain - virology / Care and treatment / Caribbean Region / Control equipment / Diagnosis / Disease control / Disease Eradication / Disease prevention / Disease transmission / Dog Diseases - diagnosis / Dog Diseases - prevention & control / Dog Diseases - virology / Dogs / Engineering and Technology / Epidemiology / Fluorescence / Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct / Foot & mouth disease / Humans / Infectious diseases / International Cooperation / Internet / Laboratory equipment / Laboratory Proficiency Testing - standards / Latin America / Medical laboratories / Medicine and Health Sciences / Prevention / Public Health / Quality Control / Rabies / Rabies - diagnosis / Rabies - prevention & control / Rabies - virology / Rabies virus - immunology / Rabies virus - isolation & purification / Research and Analysis Methods / Rhabdoviridae / Risk factors / Sensitivity and Specificity / Studies / Surveys and Questionnaires / Tropical diseases / Veterinary medicine / Zoonoses