External Quality Assurance Manual
&
Laboratory Handbook - SOPs

Below you will find the External Quality Assurance Manual and the Laboratory Manuals containing standard protocols for the Onchocerciasis Elimination Testing Platforms.

The External Quality Assurance Manual is available in English Spanish and Portuguese:

External Quality Assurance Manual (English)

External Quality Assurance Manual (Spanish)

External Quality Assurance Manual (Portuguese)

The Laboratory Handbook provides the information for the following protocols:

Ov16 ELISA Protocol (OEPA Version) – Detection of antibodies against O. volvulus (USF-002)

DNA extraction from Simulium black flies to detect Onchocerca volvulus (USF-003)

Endpoint O-150 PCR Amplification of Onchocerca volvulus DNA (USF-004)

ELISA based detection of O-150 PCR products (USF-005)

E. coli ELISA Protocol – Detection of Antibodies for Sample Acceptance (USF-006)

The Laboratory Handbook is available in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Please click the link for the appropriate language below:

Laboratory Handbook (English)

Laboratory Handbook (French)

Laboratory Handbook (Spanish)

Laboratory Handbook (Portuguese)

Click Here

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Training & Technical Services

Image by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Onchocerciasis Lab Evaluation

With the support of our partnering collaborators, we offer both Remote and On-site Laboratory Evaluations to assist in enhancing lab capacity. This enables us to address gaps in equipment and supply requirements for improved efficiency and performance.

On-Site Training

Lab Capacity Building also requires unified training efforts. We offer onsite training sessions in-country to provide resources and skillsets that enable continued success in the onchocerciasis elimination programs across Africa and Latin America.

Training Certificates are available upon completion of the onsite training

In-House Training at USF

We offer hosted training options at USF's Center for Onchocerciasis Diganostics. This allows us to provide training resources and cerifications acquiring skills that may be taken back to on-site laboratories to further educate the staff in-country to support onchocerciasis elimination efforts.

Training Certificates are available upon completion of the onsite training

Technical Support / Troubleshooting

We offer technical support for collaborating Onchocerciasis Elimination Program Affiliates. This includes reviewing results of Ov16 ELISA, O150 PCR/ELISA, and troubleshooting any issues in the testing platforms.

ovlabnetwork@gmail.com

Quality Control and Proficiency Testing

Ov16 ELISA
DBS Proficiency Kit

The Center for Onchocerciasis Diagnostics has developed a synthetic DBS test kit that all onchocerciasis program participating laboratories should complete at least annually to certify laboratory and staff proficiency with the Ov16 ELISA testing platform. These DBS proficiency panels can be utilized for training new staff and/or annual recertification.

All quality assurance test kits are provided to any participating lab at no charge upon request.

Laboratory and Staff Proficiency Certificates are available upon USF validation of test results

O150 PCR/ELISA
Homogenate Proficiency Kit

The Center for Onchocerciasis Diagnostics has also developed a synthetic Black Fly Pool Homogenate test kit that can be utilized in any laboratory the is working towards post MDP strategies and is actively performing black fly surveillance. These kits should be completed at least annually to certify laboratory and staff proficiency with the O150 PCR/ELISA testing platform. The Homogenate proficiency kits are provided to any participating lab at no charge upon request.

Laboratory and Staff Proficiency Certificates are available upon USF validation of test results

ovlabnetwork@gmail.com