Intestinal protozoa Molecular Diagnostics

This scheme consists of three distributions, each comprising three unpreserved stool samples. Analysis by a Nucleic Acid Amplification Technique (NAAT, such asPCR) is requested for the detection of protozoa. The presence or absence of the following intestinal protozoa is validated: Blastocystis spp. Cryptosporidium spp., Dientamoeba fragilis, Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia. For the resultswith regard to the presence or absence of Blastocystis spp, no performance score is awarded because this target is validated by a too small number of expert laboratories. Therefore, Blastocystis spp is an educational target. Finally, each distribution is finalizedwith a summarizing discussion in which all findings of the participants are presented.