ArticlePloS one2016
External Quality Assessment for Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Drug Resistance in the European Union: A Five Year Multicentre Implementation Study.
Article in PloS one, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Quality of tuberculosis diagnostic laboratories in Ethiopia assessed through External Quality Assessment components: a systematic review.BMC infectious diseases · 2026Pooled it
- Systematic Review of Mutations Associated with Isoniazid Resistance Points to Continuing Evolution and Subsequent Evasion of Molecular Detection, and Potential for Emergence of Multidrug Resistance in Clinical Strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy · 2021Pooled it
- Whole-Genome Sequencing as Tool for Investigating International Tuberculosis Outbreaks: A Systematic Review.Frontiers in public health · 2019Pooled it
- Targeted next-generation sequencing - a promising approach in the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and drug resistance.Infection · 2025Article
- Experiences from 4 Years of Organization of an External Quality Assessment for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Whole-Genome Sequencing in the European Union/European Economic Area.Microbiology spectrum · 2023Article
- Distribution of Common and Rare Genetic Markers of Second-Line-Injectable-Drug Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Revealed by a Genome-Wide Association Study.Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy · 2022Article
- Quality assurance practices in tuberculosis diagnostic health facilities in Ethiopia.PloS one · 2022Article
- Limited Capability for Testing Mycobacterium tuberculosis for Susceptibility to New Drugs.Emerging infectious diseases · 2021Article
- Article
- European Union training programme for tuberculosis laboratory experts: design, contribution and future direction.BMC health services research · 2020Article
- Prediction of Susceptibility to First-Line Tuberculosis Drugs by DNA Sequencing.The New England journal of medicine · 2018Article
- Acquired Resistance to Antituberculosis Drugs in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, 2000-2015.Emerging infectious diseases · 2018Article
- Networking of Public Health Microbiology Laboratories Bolsters Europe's Defenses against Infectious Diseases.Frontiers in public health · 2018Article
- Genetic Mimetics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus as Verification Standards for Molecular Diagnostics.Journal of clinical microbiology · 2017Article
- Survey on the Use of Whole-Genome Sequencing for Infectious Diseases Surveillance: Rapid Expansion of European National Capacities, 2015-2016.Frontiers in public health · 2017Article
- Article
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9 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundExternal quality assurance (EQA) systems are essential to ensure accurate diagnosis of TB and drug-resistant TB. The implementation of EQA through organising regular EQA rounds and identification of training needs is one of the key activities of the European TB reference laboratory network (ERLTB-Net). The aim of this study was to analyse the results of the EQA rounds in a systematic manner and to identify potential benefits as well as common problems encountered by the participants.
methodsThe ERLTB-Net developed seven EQA modules to test laboratories' proficiency for TB detection and drug susceptibility testing using both conventional and rapid molecular tools. All National TB Reference laboratories in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) Member States were invited to participate in the EQA scheme.
resultsA total of 32 National TB Reference laboratories participated in six EQA rounds conducted in 2010-2014. The participation rate ranged from 52.9% - 94.1% over different modules and rounds. Overall, laboratories demonstrated very good proficiency proving their ability to diagnose TB and drug-resistant TB with high accuracy in a timely manner. A small number of laboratories encountered problems with identification of specific Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTMs) (N = 5) and drug susceptibility testing to Pyrazinamide, Amikacin, Capreomycin, and Ethambutol (N = 4).
conclusionsThe European TB Reference laboratories showed a steady and high level of performance in the six EQA rounds. A network such as ERLTB-Net can be instrumental in developing and implementing EQA and in establishing collaboration between laboratories to improve the diagnosis of TB in the EU/EEA.
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