Quality assured positive control material is critical to demonstrate an assay has performed as expected. Similarly, testing for internal control material ensures extraction procedures produced template of acceptable quality, free of test inhibitors. Both types of controls are particularly important where the samples are being tested to demonstrate freedom from disease (i.e. are negative).
One internal control target is the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. However, assays targeting 18S need to be optimised if multiplexed, 18S is ubiquitous (negative control reactions can test positive) and 18S is not applicable for crustacean samples. Other targets include genes of the host organism, which are often limited to a single species, and are an option that will be investigated for priority species. Plant viruses enable development of one internal control assay for RNA and one for DNA. Optimisation of each assay would still be required if multiplexed, one internal control and one set of primers/probe for any assay reduces costs, eliminates 18S contamination issues and is applicable for all hosts (i.e. finfish, mollusc, crustacean).
Synthetic RNA and plasmid DNA positive controls enable accurate quantification of targets, control over the level of positive template (i.e. added at levels approaching the limits of detection of the assay), are consistent and greatly aid troubleshooting when contamination occurs. They also eliminate the need to source infected animals for positive control material. AFDL implements OIE, EU and/or ANZSDPs for diagnostic assays, reducing the risk of test changes requiring redevelopment of positive controls, which are limitations of synthetic and plasmid controls.
Final report
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.
