Molecular identification of Plasmodium

Aim of the PT: Molecular identification of Plasmodium species.

Who can participate to the PT: All the laboratories belonging to the EVD-Net (European Emerging and Vector-borne Diseases Network) coordinated by ECDC.

How to participate in the PT: The PT provider (EURL-PH-HP) announces the PT via e-mail addressed to potential participants. The email provides the link to the participation form and the deadline. Participation requests must be submitted by completing the participation form (PT request form) within the due date indicated in the form and in the email. Additional information reported below in the attachment.

Procedure to analyze the PT items: The PT panel will be composed of four items, either containing DNA from two different Plasmodium species or containing DNA from a non-Plasmodium species. Each laboratory should test the panels using the extraction and amplification methods that it routinely uses for testing clinical or research study samples.

Criteria for the result evaluation: results evaluation is only qualitative. The result for each PT item is considered correct if the participant correctly identifies the Plasmodium species present or correctly reports no Plasmodium species in the PT item.

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 cancelled, and a new one will be organized as soon as the issues causing the unsuitability are resolved.