Evaluation Results of 21th Iranian External Quality Assessment Schemes (EQAS) of Microbiology laboratories in 2007

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine ability of Iranian microbiology laboratories for identification and susceptibility testing of two unknown microorganisms. In Feb 2007 21st run of proficiency testing of Iranian microbiology laboratories carried out by Iranian reference health laboratories. In this survey two unknown microorganisms including Salmonella paratyphi B and Staphylococcus aureus were submitted to 1305 microbiology laboratories. Of 1305 laboratories, 1122(.86%) laboratories participated in our survey and 183 (14%) laboratories did not participated in our program. Of 1122 laboratories, 523(46.6%) laboratories identified S.paratyphi B correctly. The results of susceptibility testing of S.paratyphi B were relatively satisfied for nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. However the results of susceptibility testing for tetracycline and ampicillin were unsatisfied and only 578 (52.5%) and 558 (49.7%) Of laboratories reported correct answer for tetracycline and ampicillin respectively. Regarding to identification Staphylococus aureus of 1122 laboratories 767 (68.4%) identified this organism correctly It is concluded that the majority of microbiology laboratories were able for identification of S.parathyphi B and S.aureus. Nearly 50% of laboratories produced incorrect susceptibility testing answer according to S.paratyphi B for tetracycline and ampicillin.