1 – Program overview

This external quality assessment program evaluates the performance of different syphilis serodiagnostic methods: treponemal tests and non-treponemal tests.

Statistical reports are sent with supporting comments from the expert clinical biologists / program coordinators.

2 – Assessment frequency

Number of surveys per year: 4
Number of control samples per survey: 1 or 2
Number of samples per year: 6

3 – List of analytes assessed

• Treponemal test (TPHA, FTA, EIA)
• Non-treponemal test (VDRL, RPR)
• Interpretation

4 – Description of the control samples

Lyophilised human control serum (samples to be resuspended in 1 mL of distilled water).

5 – Clinical context

The clinical context for the samples to be tested during each survey is systematically described and participating labs are encouraged to propose a global interpretation of the results obtained. This interpretation is also commented on in the reports.