title: An inter- laboratory proficiency testing exercise for rabies diagnosis in Latin America and the Caribbean.
abstract: The direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA), is performed in all rabies reference laboratories across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Despite DFA being a critical capacity in the control of rabies, there is not a standardized protocol in the region. We describe the results of the first inter-laboratory proficiency exercise of national rabies laboratories in LAC countries as part of the regional efforts towards dog-maintained rabies elimination in the American region. Twenty three laboratories affiliated to the Ministries of Health and Ministries of Agriculture participated in this exercise. In addition, the laboratories completed an online questionnaire to assess laboratory practices. Answers to the online questionnaire indicated large variability in the laboratories throughput, equipment used, protocols availability, quality control standards and biosafety requirements. Our results will inform actions to improve and harmonize laboratory rabies capacities across LAC in support for the regional efforts towards elimination of dog-maintained rabies.
authors.affiliation: Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center, Pan American Health Organization, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clavijo
authors.affiliation: Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center, Pan American Health Organization, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mary H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Freire de Carvalho
authors.affiliation: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Lillian A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Orciari
authors.affiliation: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Andres
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Velasco-Villa
authors.affiliation: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ellison
authors.affiliation: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.affiliation: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Pamela A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Yager
authors.affiliation: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Douglas B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Green
authors.affiliation: Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center, Pan American Health Organization, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marco A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Vigilato
authors.affiliation: Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center, Pan American Health Organization, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ottorino
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cosivi
authors.affiliation: Pan American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Center, Pan American Health Organization, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Victor J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Del Rio-Vilas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000821:virology; D017691:Caribbean Region; D060740:Disease Eradication; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D004285:Dogs; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D020407:Internet; D059021:Laboratory Proficiency Testing / Q000592:standards*; D007843:Latin America; D011634:Public Health; D011786:Quality Control; D011818:Rabies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires