This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.

This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.

This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.

This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.

This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.

This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.

This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.

This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.

This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.

This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.

This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.

This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.

This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.

This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.

This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.

This project has resulted in the production of a bank of quality-assured, non-infectious, quantifiable, molecular test controls that can be provided to any diagnostic laboratory in a ready-to-use form to assist them with the implementation of specific aquatic animal disease diagnostic tests. In addition, these controls will be useful in the diagnostic laboratory quality systems to demonstrate laboratory competency.

Thirty-two positive control plasmids (22 for real-time assays and 10 for conventional assays) have been prepared and are in routine use. A further 10 plasmid positive controls (8 for real-time assays and 2 for conventional assays) are undergoing final quality checks prior to release for routine use. Therefore, a total of 42 plasmid positive controls for 25 different pathogens have been generated as a result of this project.

Their most important use is as positive controls during diagnostic testing. Because these controls are distinguishable from the pathogens’ genomic nucleic acid, they will assist in identification of cross-contamination between the positive control samples and the diagnostic samples and thus will mitigate against the reporting of false-positive results that occur due to contamination of test samples with positive controls.

In addition, T4 and QBeta phages have been evaluated as heterologous internal positive controls for DNA and RNA targets, respectively, for use in establishing that generic aspects of PCR testing (e.g. nucleic acid extraction and absence of PCR inhibitors) are performing as expected. Implementation of the use of the T4 and QBeta phages as internal positive controls has improved the quality of molecular testing, through more sensitive assessment of the effect of PCR inhibitors and confidence in results generated when testing atypical samples (i.e. plankton, dirt, feed).

The use of these controls in diagnostic testing will assist diagnostic laboratories to monitor the performance of current methods and assist with technology transfer of new methods. This will, in turn, provide laboratories, industry, regulators (managers and policy makers), the general public and trade partners with enhanced confidence in Australia’s diagnostic capability for important exotic and endemic aquatic pathogens.