Microbiology

Catalogue Number

12540102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

2

Cases/samples per survey

5

Sample Type

Lyophilised sample

Sample volume

1mL

Schedule

April, September

Measurand/Test

Simulated clinical material provided to access the detection and identification of Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), multi-drug resistant Enterococci, multi-drug resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Multi-drug resistant Shigella and Salmonella, Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) and Candida auris and other resistant bacteria. Molecular testing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°C. Protect from direct light. Testing within 24-48 hours is recommended to reduce the risk of sample deterioration.

Dangerous Goods (UN3373)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373

Additional Comments

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global issue associated with nearly a million deaths annually, projected to exceed ten million by 2050. This program will access the laboratories’ ability to detect and identify significant resistant organisms such as Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and others in a clinical setting.

Catalogue Number

12530102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

1

Cases/samples per survey

4

Sample Type

Lyophilised sample

Sample volume

1 mL

Schedule

April

Measurand/Test

Simulated clinical material provided to assess the detection and identification of M. chimaera detection in Heater cooler units

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at -20°C. Protect from direct light. Testing within 24-48 hours is recommended to reduce the risk of sample deterioration.

Dangerous Goods (UN3373)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373

Additional Comments

Heater-cooler devices (HCUs) control blood temperature during cardiothoracic procedures. On rare occasions, the HCUs have been identified as a source of M. chimaera causing surgical site infections.
Maintenance, cleaning, and disinfection of HCUs are the most critical interventions in preventing colonisation by M. chimaera and other organisms. HCU water sample of testing is a critical procedure in the bacteriological surveillance of these devices.

Catalogue Number

12130102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

2

Cases/samples per survey

6

Sample Type

Lyophilised sample

Sample volume

1mL

Schedule

March, September

Measurand/Test

Microbiological Surveillance Culture for endoscopes and bronchoscopes

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°C and protect from direct light. Testing within 24-48 hours is recommended to reduce the risk of sample deterioration.

Dangerous Goods (UN3373)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373

What's new

New for 2025

Catalogue Number

12580102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

2

Cases/samples per survey

3

Sample Type

Liquid sample

Sample volume

1mL

Schedule

June, October

Measurand/Test

Simulated clinical material provided to assess the detection of H. pylori faecal antigen

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°C. Protect from direct light. Testing within 24-48 hours is recommended to reduce the risk of sample deterioration.

Dangerous Goods (UN3373)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373

Additional Comments

Helicobacter pylori is found in the gastric and oral mucosa and is associated with symptoms such as abdominal cramping, halitosis, heartburn, gastritis and gastric ulcers. H. pylori stool testing is non-invasive and involves detecting H. pylori antigens present in human stool samples. 

Catalogue Number

12210102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

2

Cases/samples per survey

6

Sample Type

Liquid sample

Sample volume

0.25mL

Schedule

February, August

Measurand/Test

Simulated clinical material provided to assess the detection and identification of Alphaviruses and Flaviviruses using molecular assays. Alphavirus Group, Barmah Forest virus, Chikungunya virus, Ross River virus, Sindbis virus, Flavivirus Group, Dengue virus, Japanese Encephalitis virus, Kunjin virus, Murray Valley Encephalitis virus, Yellow Fever virus, West Nile virus, Zika virus

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at -70°C

Dangerous Goods (UN3373)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373

Dangerous Goods (UN1845)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.954 for Dry Ice, UN 1845

Catalogue Number

12220102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

2

Cases/samples per survey

6

Sample Type

Lyophilised sample

Sample volume

1mL

Schedule

February, October

Measurand/Test

Simulated clinical material provided to assess the detection of Bordetella pertussis including Bordetella parapertussis using molecular assays

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°C and protect from direct light. Testing within 24-48 hours is recommended to reduce the risk of sample deterioration.

Dangerous Goods (UN3373)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373

Catalogue Number

12230102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

2

Cases/samples per survey

6

Sample Type

Lyophilised sample

Sample volume

5mL

Schedule

March, July

Measurand/Test

Simulated clinical material provided to assess the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae using molecular assays

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°C and protect from direct light. Testing within 24-48 hours is recommended to reduce the risk of sample deterioration.

Dangerous Goods (UN3373)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373

Catalogue Number

12430102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

4

Cases/samples per survey

2

Sample Type

Liquid sample

Sample volume

1mL

Schedule

February, June, August, October

Measurand/Test

Simulated clinical material provided to assess the detection of Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 using molecular assays with various gene target detection

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at -70°C or -20°C

Dangerous Goods (UN3373)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN3373

Catalogue Number

12500102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

2

Cases/samples per survey

6

Sample Type

Liquid Sample

Sample volume

0.5mL

Schedule

June, August

Measurand/Test

Simulated clinical material provided to assess the detection and identification of pathogens in CSF using molecular assays. Cryptococcus spp., Cytomegalovirus, Enterovirus, Haemophilus influenzae, HSV-1/-2, Human herpesvirus 6, Listeria monocytogenes, Neisseria meningitidis, Parechovirus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Varicella zoster virus

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at -70°C

Dangerous Goods (UN3373)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN3373

Catalogue Number

12240102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

2

Cases/samples per survey

6

Sample Type

Plasma

Sample volume

1.2mL

Schedule

April, September

Measurand/Test

Clinical material provided to assess the qualitative and quantitative detection of CMV DNA. CMV Qualitative DNA, CMV Quantitative DNA, CMV Viral load

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at -70°C

Dangerous Goods (UN3373)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373

Dangerous Goods (UN1845)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.954 for Dry Ice, UN 1845

What's new

New for 2025

Catalogue Number

12590102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

2

Cases/samples per survey

6

Sample Type

Liquid sample

Sample volume

1mL

Schedule

June, November

Measurand/Test

Simulated clinical material provided to assess the detection and identification of dermatophytes causing onychomycosis using molecular methods.

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8°C. Protect from direct light. Testing within 24-48 hours is recommended to reduce the risk of sample deterioration.

Dangerous Goods (UN3373)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373

Additional Comments

Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi associated with infections of the skin, hair, and nails.
Dermatophytes were traditionally identified based on morphology; however, molecular techniques have allowed for rapid and accurate identification.
This program will assess a laboratory’s ability to detect and identify dermatophytes such as Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton using molecular techniques.

Catalogue Number

12250102

Frequency (No of surveys/year)

2

Cases/samples per survey

6

Sample Type

Lyophilised sample

Sample volume

1mL

Schedule

March, July

Measurand/Test

Simulated clinical material provided to assess the detection of Enteroviruses including Parechovirus using molecular assays

Storage and Handling

Upon receipt, store samples at 2-8 °C and protect from direct light. Testing within 24-48 hours is recommended to reduce the risk of sample deterioration.

Dangerous Goods (UN3373)

This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373