A WHO external quality assurance scheme for malaria nucleic acid amplification testing

Overview

This document is the report of a meeting held on 8–9 June 2015 on the development of a WHO external quality assurance (EQA) scheme for malaria nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT). While NAAT offer sensitive detection, reproducibility has been reported to be imperfect, particularly when detecting low density parasitaemias. To strengthen reliability and comparability of data, an international external quality assurance programme is being established with the aim of improving standards of performance of NAATs. The service will provide lyophilized and dried blood spot, as well as external quality assurance reference material from erythrocyte stage infection at a range of parasite densities.