Malaria Molecular Proficiency Testing Programme
Surveillance for drug resistant malaria is a critical component of regional and global malaria control and eradication strategies. The WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN) has established the Malaria Molecular Proficiency Testing Program for molecular laboratories performing msp1, msp2, and glurp genotyping to distinguish recrudescence from reinfection.
What is Malaria Molecular Proficiency Testing?
The Molecular Proficiency Testing Program is a voluntary external quality assessment scheme open to any laboratory performing msp1, msp2 and glurp genotyping to distinguish malaria recrudescence from reinfection using dried blood spot (DBS) samples.
Who coordinates the programme?
The Molecular Proficiency Testing Program is organized by the WWARN Molecular Module. The Program was initiated in 2009 in the Greater Mekong Subregion with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Funding for other regions is provided by WWARN.
Who can participate in the programme?
Any laboratory performing molecular assays of msp1, msp2 and glurp and using agarose gel electrophoresis to distinguish between recrudescence and reinfection for P. falciparum malaria can participate in the program.
Why participate?
Laboratories performing molecular testing to differentiate recrudescence from reinfection are strongly encouraged to participate in this quality assurance scheme for the following reasons:
• Follow good clinical laboratory practice
• Detect and remedy errors in these analytical procedures
• Independently verify the accuracy of your results
• Compare results to validated external standards
• Participate in a forum on best practices
• Review laboratory performance over time.
How does the proficiency testing work?
A panel of 3 paired dry blood spot (DBS) samples on filter paper will be sent to participating laboratories biannually. Each pair will contain one sample corresponding to pre-treatment (day 0) and the other corresponding to post-treatment (day 7 onward). The panel should be incorporated into a normal day’s testing. The results form will be completed and returned to WWARN within four weeks of receiving the PT samples.
Proficiency testing results will be scored by a team of experts using a standard method. Each pair set will receive a score and these results will be combined to give an overall score. The final scores will be returned to the participating laboratory within four weeks. The report will include a summary of findings and recommendations.
What are the costs to participate?
There is no fee to join the program; materials to be tested will be provided at no charge. However, participants must provide equipment, reagents and consumables required to test proficiency testing panels in their own laboratory.
Who sees the results?
The results of each participating laboratory are completely confidential. The only parties who can see laboratory results are:
• Participating Laboratory
• WWARN Molecular Module team of experts
• WWARN Regional Centre Directors.
Who do I contact to get more information or to enroll in the programme?
Jeffery Smith
Coordinator, Molecular Surveillance Network
E-mail: jeff.smith@wwarn.org
