Abstract:

Objective To perform a nationwide external quality assessment for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, and to improve the performance of laboratories in the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis. Methods Totally, 419 quality control samples were sent to tested laboratories, including 76 samples in 2007, 168 samples in 2008 and 175 samples in 2009. The laboratories were required to test the samples and report test results, within stipulated time, to the reference laboratory in National Center for Sexually Transmitted Disease （STD） Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The reported results were statistically analyzed by the National Center for STD Control, who finally fed back the statistical results to all of the participants. Results The percentage increased from 84.93% in 2007 to 92.14% in 2009 for laboratories showing an 80% or more consistency with the reference laboratory in the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis from quality control samples （qualified）, from 47.95% in 2007 to 70% in 2009 for those showing a 100% consistency （excellent）, and dereased from 5.48% in 2007 to 0.71% in 2009 for those showing a consistency of lower than 60% （unqualified）. The centralabs of provincial CDC and volunteer laboratories exhibited a satisfactory performance for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, while the performance of a small number of national STD surveillance sites needed to be increase. Conclusion The external quality assessment reveals a continuous improvement in the capability of detecting Chlamydia trachomatis in STD laboratories at different levels in China.

Key words: external quality assessment