Parasitology: United Kingdom National Quality Assessment Scheme.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the results from parasitology laboratories taking part in a quality assessment scheme between 1986 and 1991; and to compare performance with repeat specimens.


METHODS
Quality assessment of blood parasitology, including tissue parasites (n = 444; 358 UK, 86 overseas), and faecal parasitology, including extra-intestinal parasites (n = 205; 141 UK, 64 overseas), was performed.


RESULTS
Overall, the standard of performance was poor. A questionnaire distributed to participants showed that a wide range of methods was used, some of which were considered inadequate to achieve reliable results. Teaching material was distributed to participants from time to time in an attempt to improve standards.


CONCLUSIONS
Since the closure of the IMLS fellowship course in 1972, fewer opportunities for specialised training in parasitology are available: more training is needed. Poor performance in the detection of malarial parasites is mainly attributable to incorrect speciation, misidentification, and lack of equipment such as an eyepiece graticule.
Hawthorne
M
M
Department of Parasitology, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London.
Chiodini
P L
PL
Snell
J J
JJ
Moody
A H
AH
Ramsay
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood / Q000469:parasitology; D002589:Cestoda / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003044:Coccidia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D009348:Nematoda / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010274:Parasitology / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control; D014200:Trematoda / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006113:United Kingdom