Ensuring Accurate Molecular Genetic Testing

Ensuring accurate testing for human immunodeficiency virus in Myanmar

PROBLEM Until 2005, the quality of rapid diagnostic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing was not monitored and no regular technical support was provided to hospital laboratories in Myanmar. APPROACH The national reference laboratory introduced a national external quality assessment scheme. The scheme involved (i) training laboratory technicians in HIV testing and in the requirements of ...

Molecular Testing in Microbiology

There are significant challenges associated with qualitative and quantitative nucleic acid tests performed in diagnostic laboratories. The development of internationally available certified reference materials which can be traced to reference measurements will contribute to a better understanding of the performance characteristics of nucleic acid tests and enhance reliability and comparability ...

Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers

Quality assurance in molecular genetic testing laboratories.

CONTEXT Specific regulation of laboratories performing molecular genetic tests may be needed to ensure standards and quality assurance (QA) and safeguard patient rights to informed consent and confidentiality. However, comprehensive analysis of current practices of such laboratories, important for assessing the need for regulation and its impact on access to testing, has not been conducted. O...

Molecular genetic testing for malignant hyperthermia susceptibility.

BACKGROUND For more than 30 yr, the in vitro contracture test (IVCT) was the only appropriate diagnostic tool for malignant hyperthermia (MH). After the introduction of molecular genetics into MH research, guidelines for molecular genetic diagnosis of MH susceptibility were published. The aim of this study was to establish applicability of the guidelines, sensitivity, and specificity of genetic...