Molecular identification of Echinococcus
PT-XX: Molecular identification of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) and Echinococcus multilocularis.
Aim of the PT: Assessment of the competence of participants in the molecular identification of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) and Echinococcus multilocularis.
Who can participate in the PT: All the laboratories belonging to the FWD-Net (European Food- and Waterborne Diseases and Zoonoses Network) coordinated by ECDC.
Procedure to analyze the PT items: The panel of items consists of four tubes containing either DNA extracted from Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) or DNA extracted from Echinococcus multilocularis, along with a negative control. The EURL-PH-HP recommends the use of the multiplex PCR assay developed by Trachsel and colleagues (Parasitology, 2007, 134(Pt 6): 911-20) as a single step PCR assay to accomplish the goal of the PT. However, any other suitable molecular-based method, including the use of multiple methods, will be accepted.
Criteria for the result evaluation: The evaluation of results is qualitative only. Participants are required to correctly identify all the items. Final evaluation is considered “positive” if all items, including the negative, are successfully identified.
If the PTP person in charge determines that the items distributed to participants or the data obtained are not suitable for performance evaluation, the participants will be notified immediately. The current scheme will be canceled, and a new one will be organized as soon as the issues causing the unsuitability are resolved.
