Open AccessAn inter- laboratory proficiency testing exercise for rabies diagnosis in Latin America and the Caribbean
Author(s) -
Alfonso Clavijo,
Mary H. Freire de Carvalho,
Lillian A. Orciari,
Andrés Velasco-Villa,
James A. Ellison,
L. Greenberg,
Pamela A. Yager,
Douglas B. Green,
Marco Antonio Natal Vigilato,
Ottorino Cosivi,
Victor Del Rio Vilas
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos neglected tropical diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.99
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1935-2735
pISSN - 1935-2727
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005427
Subject(s) - rabies , biosafety , latin americans , medicine , environmental health , veterinary medicine , political science , virology , pathology , law
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.