Jeddah Microbiology Quality Control Scheme: Errors in Microbiological Techniques Part I. Isolation and Identification Results

Results obtained from the first 3 years of this scheme have been instrumental in highlighting areas of poor performance. Laboratories are urged to review their techniques, as misleading results of the same nature in clinical situations could have serious implications. Participants had problems with: isolating Shigella species and multiple pathogens from simulated faecal specimens; detection of Bacteroides species from simulated specimens containing other non-pathogens; differentiation of Staphylococcus epidermidis from Staphylococcus aureus. Incorrect results have also been received for slides distributed for the examination of acid fast bacilli