Nationwide proficiency assessment of bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing among 110 laboratories in Lebanon

Introduction: Proficiency testing (PT) is one of the most valuable and important activities for the Clinical Microbiology Laboratories (CML) to enroll in to ensure the accuracy and reliability of results. This first time conducted nationwide study was warranted to assess the PT performance activity...

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Main Authors: George F Araj, Tarek Itani, Atika Berry, Dolla K Sarkis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2021-12-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/15381
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author George F Araj
Tarek Itani
Atika Berry
Dolla K Sarkis
author_facet George F Araj
Tarek Itani
Atika Berry
Dolla K Sarkis
author_sort George F Araj
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Proficiency testing (PT) is one of the most valuable and important activities for the Clinical Microbiology Laboratories (CML) to enroll in to ensure the accuracy and reliability of results. This first time conducted nationwide study was warranted to assess the PT performance activity among CML in Lebanon. Methodology: Four training and PT activities were organized for 110 nationwide laboratories involved in providing clinical microbiology services. In each PT activity, five different bacterial species were distributed to each laboratory to provide identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AMST) according to prior discussions and guidelines. Results: The percentages of labs that correctly identified the bacterial species and performed the relevant AMST to it, respectively, were as follows: S. aureus, (100% and 67.8%); Enterococcus faecalis (71% and 82%); Listeria monocytogenes (75% and 61%); Streptococcus agalactiae (86% and 71%); Corynebacterium amycolatum (7% and 33 %); Pseudomonas aeruginosa, (93 % and 53.4%); Klebsiella pneumoniae, (97% and 67.7%); Salmonella typhi ESBL (87 % and 66%); Enterobacter aerogenes (89% and 59%) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (84 % and 65%). The resistant types for the species were specified by labs as carbapenem resistant (CR) K. pneumoniae in 78 %, CR E. aerogenes in 34 %, MRSA in 83 %, and VRE in 80.5%. Conclusions: The wide variation as well as the overall humble scoring of accurate results reflects the dire need for the MOPH to establish and maintain a PT activity program, and entrust the reference laboratory to provide continuing education and training sessions.
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spelling doaj-art-4f33216a2e314cf7a729dbf334c61b0a2025-08-20T02:57:01ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802021-12-01151210.3855/jidc.15381Nationwide proficiency assessment of bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing among 110 laboratories in LebanonGeorge F Araj0Tarek Itani1Atika Berry2Dolla K Sarkis3Department of Pathology and laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, LebanonLaboratoire des Agents Pathogènes, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, LebanonMinistry of Public Health- Preventive Medicine Department, Beirut, LebanonLaboratoire des Agents Pathogènes, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon Introduction: Proficiency testing (PT) is one of the most valuable and important activities for the Clinical Microbiology Laboratories (CML) to enroll in to ensure the accuracy and reliability of results. This first time conducted nationwide study was warranted to assess the PT performance activity among CML in Lebanon. Methodology: Four training and PT activities were organized for 110 nationwide laboratories involved in providing clinical microbiology services. In each PT activity, five different bacterial species were distributed to each laboratory to provide identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AMST) according to prior discussions and guidelines. Results: The percentages of labs that correctly identified the bacterial species and performed the relevant AMST to it, respectively, were as follows: S. aureus, (100% and 67.8%); Enterococcus faecalis (71% and 82%); Listeria monocytogenes (75% and 61%); Streptococcus agalactiae (86% and 71%); Corynebacterium amycolatum (7% and 33 %); Pseudomonas aeruginosa, (93 % and 53.4%); Klebsiella pneumoniae, (97% and 67.7%); Salmonella typhi ESBL (87 % and 66%); Enterobacter aerogenes (89% and 59%) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (84 % and 65%). The resistant types for the species were specified by labs as carbapenem resistant (CR) K. pneumoniae in 78 %, CR E. aerogenes in 34 %, MRSA in 83 %, and VRE in 80.5%. Conclusions: The wide variation as well as the overall humble scoring of accurate results reflects the dire need for the MOPH to establish and maintain a PT activity program, and entrust the reference laboratory to provide continuing education and training sessions. https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/15381Proficiency testingsusceptibility testingbacterial identificationLebanon
spellingShingle George F Araj
Tarek Itani
Atika Berry
Dolla K Sarkis
Nationwide proficiency assessment of bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing among 110 laboratories in Lebanon
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
Proficiency testing
susceptibility testing
bacterial identification
Lebanon
title Nationwide proficiency assessment of bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing among 110 laboratories in Lebanon
title_full Nationwide proficiency assessment of bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing among 110 laboratories in Lebanon
title_fullStr Nationwide proficiency assessment of bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing among 110 laboratories in Lebanon
title_full_unstemmed Nationwide proficiency assessment of bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing among 110 laboratories in Lebanon
title_short Nationwide proficiency assessment of bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing among 110 laboratories in Lebanon
title_sort nationwide proficiency assessment of bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing among 110 laboratories in lebanon
topic Proficiency testing
susceptibility testing
bacterial identification
Lebanon
url https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/15381
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