EHEQAS: European HPV DNA test External Quality Assurance Scheme

To form a network of European laboratories, which perform high-resolution HPV DNA typing tests in order to facilitate the streamlining and standardization of HPV assays. Batches of 10-13 samples are sent from the coordinator to participating laboratories 3 times per year. They test samples and report results to the coordinator within 3 weeks. The coordinator tabulates results and proposes a consensus result for each sample. Marks are awarded to participants based on their results and certificates are issued to participating labs once a year. EHEQAS began its operations in 2006 with 5 participating laboratories. Now (June 2007) there are 8 participating laboratories from 7 European countries. So far 46 samples have been tested. According to consensus results 11 samples were negative, 21 had single infections and 14 had co-infections. Twenty-three HPV types have been detected in the positive samples: types 6, 16, 18, 31, 33, 34, 35, 42, 43, 45, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, 61, 62, 66, 70, 73, 81, 84. Typing errors identified help participating laboratories to improve their methodologies. EHEQAS facilitates the streamlining of HPV assays and provides a platform for future developments.