Quality Control Materials for Rapid BSE Tests Developed by IRMM

Quality assurance of rapid BSE tests is a challenging and constantly interesting issue and well characterised reference materials are the key for an objective and meaningful quality control of all rapid BSE tests. The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurement (IRMM) of the European Commission has therefore developed several types of reference materials suitable for all currently EC approved rapid BSE tests; Three types of dilutions of stable homogenates are available: (i) ¿Generic homogenates¿: several dilutions of brainstem of BSE positive cattle in negative brainstem tissue and water; (ii) ¿Bio-Rad specific homogenates¿: several dilutions of brainstem of BSE positive cattle in negative brainstem tissue; 20 % tissue homogenates in test specific buffer (for Bio-Rad TeSeE test); (iii) ¿Prionics specific homogenates¿: several dilutions of brainstem of BSE positive cattle in negative brainstem tissue; 10 % tissue homogenates in test specific buffer (for Prionics check LIA and Western blot). The homogenates were initially calibrated against brains of BSE-infected bovine transgenic mice and are subjected to regular stability testing. The materials are widely used by test developers and National Reference Laboratories for e.g. quality control or proficiency testing.

PHILIPP Wolfgang; 

2006-03-31

JRC30506

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC30506,