An international quality assessment program for urine antigen detection of Legionella pneumophila and Streptococcus pneumoniae has shown high compliance rates in initial runs. The developed scheme is intended to promote standardization and improve diagnostic accuracy.

The pathogens cause severe respiratory infections such as Legionnaires’ disease and pneumococcal pneumonia, especially in vulnerable groups. Urine antigen tests enable fast, cost-effective detection without airway samples and are suitable for acute clinical settings. External quality controls identify variabilities and support comparability between laboratories.

In the program, participants receive four characterized urine samples that are tested for antigens using their routine procedures. The results are compared with reference values. The pilot had 167 participants for Legionella and 76 for Streptococcus, with participation increasing by 12 percent within one year. Laboratories from Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Luxembourg are involved.

More than 15 commercial test systems have been deployed. Success rates were 98 to 99 percent for Legionella and 82 to 97 percent for Streptococcus, indicating greater robustness for Legionella. Broken down by method, automated systems consistently achieved 100 percent for Legionella, while rapid tests were the most accurate for Streptococcus at 96 percent. Deviations occurred mainly in manual or inaccurate procedures, with a one-time accumulation in an automated system for Streptococcus.

The initiative underlines the importance of external controls for patient safety and public health surveillance. Due to the higher susceptibility to error in Streptococcus detection, broader participation is recommended. Regular programs could reveal weaknesses in diagnostic procedures and improve infection diagnostics overall, with potential for extension to other pathogens.

Important details can be seen as posters at the DKLM 2025 in Leipzig. Interested media can receive the poster in advance in compliance with the strict embargo period of 23.10.2025 / 00:01 and presentation of a valid press card. To do so, send us your enquiry including a copy of your press card to: redaktion@medlabportal.de

The German Congress of Laboratory Medicine (DKLM) 2025 promises exciting insights into the interface between science and clinical practice. Under the motto “Science for Precision Medicine”, the German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL) and the Umbrella Association for Technologists and Analysts in Medicine Germany (DVTA) invite experts from research, clinics and industry to meet on October 23 and 24 at the Congress Center Leipzig (CCL). The two-day event is aimed at laboratory physicians, biomedical analysts and decision-makers to discuss current advances in diagnostics and strengthen networks. The ceremonial opening of the congress will take place on 22 October with the presentation of the MedLabAwards in the Salles de Pologne.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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