Competence testing for the field of quantitative examination of cellular chimerism
Since 2005, the Department of Cellular Chimerism, which is part of the National Reference Laboratory UHKT, has been organizing a program of proficiency testing in the field of quantitative examination of cellular chimerism. Laboratories from both the Czech Republic and abroad participate in this program.
Each participating laboratory can choose from two variants – basic and extended. The basic variant includes 7 DNA samples, the extended variant 12 DNA samples: recipient, donor and 5 (10) additional post-transplant samples for quantification according to the chosen variant.
Selected DNA samples are obtained, prepared and stored according to the rules specified in the Quality Manual of the NRL for DNA diagnostics and in the relevant attachments SOP 01, SOP 07.
The subject matter of the round is:
Quantitative examination of recipient chimerism – 5 samples basic variant (10 samples extended variant) based on selected DNA polymorphisms including interpretation (recipient/donor ratio).
The participant's results will be compared with expected values and statistically processed according to Z-score.
Evaluation into categories:
- excellent ([z] ≤ 1) – correct result
- good (1 ˂ [z] ≤ 2) – correct result
- acceptable (2 ˂ [z] ≤ 3) – correct result
- critical ([z] > 3) – incorrect result
- below the detection limit of the laboratory (The sensitivity of the participant's method is not able to detect the minority genotype – example: the expected percentage of the minority genotype is 0.2% and the participant with 1% sensitivity detects only the majority genotype – this result is considered to be correctly determined. In case the participant detects both genotypes and quantifies them, the result will be evaluated according to Z-score.)
To fulfill participation in EPT, a minimum of 80% success rate is required (i.e. 8/10 samples in the extended variant, 4/5 samples in the basic variant).
EPT Guarantor: Mgr. Lucie Stefflová, e-mail: Lucie.Stefflova@uhkt.cz