@article{fdi:010066139,
  title = {{P}erformance of microscopy for the diagnosis of malaria and human {A}frican trypanosomiasis by diagnostic laboratories in the {D}emocratic {R}epublic of the {C}ongo : results of a nation-wide {E}xternal {Q}uality {A}ssessment},
  author = {{M}ukadi, {P}. and {L}ejon, {V}eerle and {B}arbe, {B}. and {G}illet, {P}. and {N}yembo, {C}. and {L}ukuka, {A}. and {L}ikwela, {J}. and {L}umbala, {C}. and {M}baruku, {J}. and {V}ander {V}eken, {W}. and {M}umba, {D}. and {L}utumba, {P}. and {M}uyembe, {J}. {J}. and {J}acobs, {J}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he present {E}xternal {Q}uality {A}ssessment ({EQA}) assessed microscopy of blood parasites among diagnostic laboratories in the {D}emocratic {R}epublic of the {C}ongo. {T}he {EQA} addressed 445 participants in 10/11 provinces ({O}ctober 2013-{A}pril 2014). {P}articipants were sent a panel of five slides and asked to return a routinely stained slide which was assessed for quality of preparation and staining. {R}esponse rate was 89.9% (400/445). {F}or slide 1 (no parasites), 30.6% participants reported malaria, mostly {P}lasmodium falciparum. {O}nly 11.0% participants reported slide 2 ({P}lasmodium malariae) correctly, 71.0% reported "malaria" or "{P}lasmodium falciparum" (considered acceptable). {S}lide 3 contained {P}lasmodium falciparum (109/mu l) and {T}rypanosoma brucei brucei trypomastigotes: they were each reported by 32.5% and 16.5% participants respectively, 6.0% reported both. {S}lide 4 ({T}rypanosoma) was recognised by 44.9% participants. {S}lide 5 ({P}lasmodium ovale) was correctly reported by 6.2% participants, another 68.8% replied "malaria" or "{P}lasmodium falciparum" (considered acceptable). {O}nly 13.6% of routine slides returned were correctly prepared and stained. {T}he proportion of correct/acceptable scores for at least 4/5 slides was higher among {EQA}-experienced participants compared to first time participants (40.9% versus 22.4%, p = 0.001) and higher among those being trained < 2 years ago compared to those who were not (42.9% versus 26.3%, p = 0.01). {A}mong diagnostic laboratories in {D}emocratic {R}epublic of the {C}ongo, performance of blood parasite microscopy including non-falciparum species and {T}rypanosoma was poor. {R}ecent training and previous {EQA} participation were associated with a better performance.},
  keywords = {{REPUBLIQUE} {DEMOCRATIQUE} {DU} {CONGO}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{P}los {O}ne},
  volume = {11},
  numero = {1},
  pages = {e0146450 [ 15 p.]},
  ISSN = {1932-6203},
  year = {2016},
  DOI = {10.1371/journal.pone.0146450},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010066139},
}