1. NIBSC Multiplex Proficiency Panel - A multicentre study
Clare Morris and David Padley
Divisions of Retrovirology and Virology

2. Panel History
Panels produced for the UK National Blood Transfusion Authority.
UK requirement to screen for HCV RNA in blood donations since 1999.
Initially, annual HCV proficiency panels produced to monitor assay and operator performance across UK sites.
In 2005 HIV-1 screening introduced in the one NBS site.
1st HIV-1 RNA Proficiency panel produced in 2006.
Panels have consisted of dilutions of a single marker, up to 15 members/panel.

3. New multiplex approach
Panel consisted of 15 coded samples.
Contained combinations of HIV, HCV, HBV.
One plasma negative was included.
7 labs took part, 2 labs reported data using two systems.
Due to potential for confirmatory testing each lab was sent 4 panels.
Requested to test panel through routine algorithm.
5 labs used commercial assays, 2 used in house assays
Biomerieux
Amplicor
Procliex
Ultrio
In house 1 3 2

4. Panel Details Sample number Sample Concentration 1 HCV 100IU 2 50IU 34
HIV-1
200IU 5 6 7
Negative plasma 8
HIV-1, HCV, HBV
200IU, 100IU, 50IU 9
100IU, 50IU, 20IU 10
HCV + HIV
50IU + 200IU 11
20IU + 100IU 12
HCV + HBV 13
50IU + 50IU 14
HIV + HBV
200IU + 100IU 15
100IU + 50IU

5. - + 4a 4b 7a 7b HIV-1 Results Not tested for HIV Reactive LAB Sample 1
HCV 2 3 4
HIV 5 6 7
NEG 8
HCVHBV 9 10
HCV + HIV 11 12
HCV + HBV 13 14
HIV + HBV 15
LAB - +
Not tested for HIV 4a 4b 7a
Reactive 7b

6. 4a 4b 7a 7b HCV Results + - Reactive LAB Sample 1 HCV 2 3 4 HIV 5 6 7
NEG 8
HCVHBV 9 10
HCV + HIV 11 12
HCV + HBV 13 14
HIV + HBV 15
LAB + - 4a 4b 7a
Reactive 7b

7. + 4a 4b 7a - 7b HBV results Not tested for HBV Reactive LAB Sample 1
HCV 2 3 4
HIV 5 6 7
NEG 8
HCVHBV 9 10
HCV + HIV 11 12
HCV + HBV 13 14
HIV + HBV 15
LAB +
Not tested for HBV 4a 4b 7a
Reactive - 7b

8. Conclusions
HIV: One lab didn’t detect 100IU in triplex sample. All other labs detected HIV at all concentrations.
HCV: Lab 2 failed to detect 20 IU sample. Lab 6 failed to detect 10 IU sample & 100 IU in a triplex sample.
HBV: 3 data sets available. All HBV samples detected.
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