Proficiency testing* round aimed at molecular detection Xylella fastidiosa, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’, flavescence dorée phytoplasma and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ (Bois noir phytoplasma) is successfully completed.

Altogether, 37 laboratories participated, representing 27 countries from 3 different continents (Picture). A customer satisfaction survey revealed that our proficiency tests were found to be of good to exceptional value (92 %) with majority of participants feeling comfortable about recommending it to their colleagues (91 %); response rate was 65 %.






As a special service, digital PCR is used to determine the absolute target copies concentrations of Xylella fastidiosa and ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in our samples, making them one of the best characterized samples available.

A few sample sets or individual test samples with defined target concentrations suitable to use as controls or in your own validations are still available, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..   Samples contain DNA only and thus do not pose any risk. 

The next step for us is to improve commutability of our samples, making them more similar to naturally infected samples. We hope to offer such samples for selected pathogens already in the 2017 round that will consist of Pantoea stewartii, Ralstonia solanacearum species complex and fruit tree phytoplasmas. We can accept up to 30 participants for each organism/organism group. In case of more interest the participating laboratories are selected on first come first served basis.

We will be opening registration at a later date but you can register for news about our proficiency testing schemes by sending us an This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

 

*A proficiency test is a way in which competence of laboratories is assessed and demonstrated. Standardized samples with known status regarding the presence of harmful organisms are prepared and sent out to participating laboratories. The laboratories analyze them using their own methods, equipment and reagents and send results back to the organizer. The organizer analyzes the results and provides a report detailing all participants’ results in confidential manner together with actual sample status. Demonstrating proficiency is one of the key aspects of an accredited laboratory (ISO 17025). The test was organized in accordance with the EPPO 7/122 guidelines.