Page 513 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

450 Jennifer Lasley

diagnostic kits are to certify commercial diag- represents a source of standardized information
nostic kit as validated fit for some specific to search and locate samples, especially diag-
purpose(s) and to produce a register of recog- nostic reagents and reference reagents, along
nized diagnostic kits for OIE members. The with associated metadata, and process retrieval
procedure is open to all diagnostic kits for ani- requests.
mal diseases, including zoonosis.
The OIE register is available online. For
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diagnostic kits certified by the OIE, the OIE oIE laboratory twinning programme
logo appears on any device associated with the
kit, on the instructions for use and on the sales The OIE applied the concept of twinning
packaging. The process of producing a register of between laboratories and implemented the labo-
recognized diagnostic kits has provided greater ratory twinning programme to build capacity and
transparency and clarity of the validation pro- expertise for the most important animal diseases
cess and provides a means for recognizing those including zoonoses and dangerous pathogens in
manufacturers that produce validated and certi- priority regions, in direct support of the OIE’s
fied test methods in kit format. strategy to improve global capacity for disease
prevention, detection and control through better
veterinary governance.
oIE-approved international standard The OIE laboratory twinning programme
sera establishes sustainable links between OIE
Reference Centres and national laboratories in
The OIE Biological Standards Commission regions that are currently underrepresented,
coordinates a programme for the preparation, leading to exchange of knowledge, skills and
validation and distribution of OIE-approved experiences over a determined project period
international reference standards for diagnos- through staff exchanges, quality assurance (QA)
tic assays for infectious diseases of animals. and biosafety training, proficiency testing or
The standards are prepared by an OIE reference other forms of engagement. Each twinning proj-
laboratory in accordance with guidelines for ect provides mutual benefits for both reference
antibody and antigen standards drawn-up by the centres and national laboratories by creating
Commission in collaboration with certain refer- joint research opportunities, and the whole
ence laboratories. Such standard preparations international community will benefit from stron-
are designated by the OIE as primary reference ger global disease surveillance networks for the
standards for use in conjunction with tests control of animal diseases that cause a serious
described in the OIE terrestrial manual. The threat to health and livelihoods. 24
aim of the programme is to harmonize diagnos- Through laboratory twinning projects, the
tic testing and encourage the mutual recognition OIE provides a more balanced geographical
of test results for international trade. To fur- distribution of advanced scientific expertise,
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ther promote the preparation and distribution of allowing more national laboratories to comply
standard reagents for diagnostic testing, the OIE with OIE standards and start playing a greater
launched the creation of an international OIE role regionally and globally for early disease
Virtual Biobank. The OIE Virtual Biobank is a detection, confirmation and rapid response and
web-based catalogue of the biological resources control. The higher level of scientific expertise
that are held in biobanks hosted by OIE refer- acquired is also essential to allow countries to
ence centres around the world. This catalogue formulate science-based animal health control

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