A National Reference Laboratory's interactions with veterinary diagnostic laboratories: example of Q fever, an abortive disease in ruminants and a zoonosis

To improve the control of targeted pathogens affecting animal and plant health, National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) have been mandated by the French Ministry of Agriculture. Their role involves ensuring that first-line departmental diagnostic laboratories are proficient in analytical methods. The NRL for Q Fever (QF-NRL) has developed measures contributing to the strong performance of methods within each laboratory's environment and on the network scale (national surveillance, epidemiological investigation). Following a survey of all (mandated and non-mandated) laboratories, the QF-NRL reports on the interactions between both parties and their interests, and outlines some prospects. Overall, the tools and exchanges (reference materials, validations, adoptions, control charts, inter-laboratory tests) are valued and provide means for determining the performance level of analytical methods and for proactively committing to further improvements.