In 2026, the Laboratory for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases of the National Reference Centre for Veterinary (NRCV), Kazakhstan, participated in international interlaboratory proficiency testing for rabies virus diagnosis.
The proficiency testing was organized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Reference Laboratory for Rabies, hosted by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Italy, with financial and logistical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
As part of the international proficiency testing programme, NRCV specialists performed diagnostic testing using two laboratory methods for rabies detection: real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) and the Direct Fluorescent Antibody Test (DFA) using fluorescently labelled anti-rabies diagnostic immunoglobulin (FADI).
The NRCV received the final report from the proficiency testing organizer, which included an evaluation of the laboratory tests performed, positive feedback on the NRCV laboratory’s performance, and recommendations for further improvement of rabies diagnostic methods.
Participation in international interlaboratory proficiency testing contributes to the independent assessment of laboratory testing quality, enhances the reliability of diagnostic results, strengthens the professional competencies of laboratory specialists, and promotes international cooperation in the field of diagnosis of particularly dangerous animal diseases.