In the face of a new outbreak, it is essential that laboratories are able to identify the different circulating strains.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared that Mpox is once again a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to the emergence of a new variant and its rapid spread in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The disease, caused by the Mpox virus of the Orthopoxvirus genus and Poxviridae family, is considered a viral zoonosis. Transmission between humans primarily occurs through personal contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions of infected individuals, or recently contaminated objects.
In this context, it is crucial that laboratories are able to detect the different circulating strains. The release of accurate reports contributes to efficient diagnoses and the immediate isolation of patients. Rapid identification of suspected cases is essential to contain the spread of the disease and prevent worsening of cases.
Quality Control for Mpox
Controllab, a leader in quality control for testing in Latin America, offers the Mpox – Molecular Biology program.
The program includes the Proficiency Testing (PT), also known as External Quality Control (EQC). In this PT, lyophilized items prepared from a viral isolate containing the complete genome are sent out. This allows for the evaluation of the accuracy of the methods used in identifying the microorganism.
The Mpox – Molecular Biology program also provides Internal Quality Control (IQC), which ensures continuous monitoring of the analytical routine.
The Internal Controls offered by Controllab are considered third-party (produced by manufacturers other than the analytical system itself). These are independent controls, including inter-laboratory results across different systems.
Controllab’s External Controls are conducted in accordance with ISO/IEC 17043. Both these and the Internal Controls provided by the company are designed to meet national regulatory requirements, such as RDC 786/2023, as well as international standards.
Join the next round of PT for Mpox
Since 2022, Controllab has been offering Proficiency Testing in Molecular Biology for Mpox. The next round will be on October 14, and your laboratory can still participate. Speak with a specialist now to find out how. Ensure the reliability of your reports and the satisfaction of your clients!