Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Five years' experience of classical swine fever polymerase chain reaction ring trials in France.
- Journal:
- Revue scientifique et technique (International Office of Epizootics)
- Year:
- 2011
- Authors:
- Po, F et al.
- Affiliation:
- Anses · France
Plain-English summary
In France, a national lab has been testing local veterinary labs on their ability to detect classical swine fever (CSF) virus using a specific testing method called PCR since 2004. Over five years, the number of labs participating grew from four to thirteen, and they all worked with the same set of samples. The tests revealed that even skilled labs can make mistakes, like mixing up samples or not preparing them properly, but the samples themselves remained stable when stored correctly. These findings will help improve future tests and encourage labs to enhance their testing methods. Overall, the testing program has proven to be a valuable way to assess how well labs can detect this virus.
Abstract
Since 2004, the French National Reference Laboratory for classical swine fever (CSF) has conducted an annual proficiency test (PT) to evaluate the ability of local veterinary laboratories to perform real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for CSF virus. The results of five years of testing (2004-2008) are described here. The PT was conducted under blind conditions on 20 samples. The same batch of samples was used for all five years. The number of laboratories that analysed the samples increased from four in 2004 to 13 in 2008. The results of the PT showed the following: cross-contamination between samples and deficiencies in RNA preparation can occur even in experienced laboratories; sample homogeneity should be checked carefully before selection; samples stored at-80 degrees C for several years remain stable; and poor shipment conditions do not damage the samples with regard to detection of CSF virus genome. These results will enable redesign of the panel to improve the overall quality of the PT, which will encourage laboratories to check and improve their PCR procedures and expertise. This is an excellent way to determine laboratory performance.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22435192/