Critical Points for the Organisation of Test Performance Studies in Microbiology: Plant Pathogens as a Case Study (Plant Pathology in the 21st Century, 12)

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Contents
Contributors
Chapter 1: General Background
	1.1 Introduction
	1.2 Common Terms Used in This Book (EPPO PM 7/76 (5) (2018a))
Chapter 2: Introduction to Interlaboratory Comparisons
	2.1 Different Types of Interlaboratory Comparisons
	2.2 Selection of Pests
	2.3 TPS Organiser
		2.3.1 Selection of TPS Organisers
		2.3.2 Minimum Requirements for TPS Organisers
			2.3.2.1 Involvement in Diagnostic Activities with Different Methods
			2.3.2.2 Experience with the Development and Validation of Diagnostic Tests
			2.3.2.3 Experience with the Shipment of Material
			2.3.2.4 Collaboration with National and International Bodies in the Field of Plant Pest Diagnostics
			2.3.2.5 Technical Requirements
Chapter 3: Description of the Process of TPS Organisation
	3.1 The TPS Organisation Process
	3.2 Selection of the Tests
		3.2.1 Definition of the TPS Scope
		3.2.2 Definition of Weighted Criteria and Targeted Values for the Selection of Tests
		3.2.3 Collection of Available Validation Data
	3.3 Preliminary Studies
		3.3.1 Definition of a List of Tests Subjected to Preliminary Studies
		3.3.2 Collecting Isolates/Strains/Populations and Plant Material
		3.3.3 Evaluation of the Tests Selected for the Preliminary Studies
	3.4 Selection of the TPS Participants
		3.4.1 Identification of Potential Participants for a TPS
		3.4.2 Definition of Weighted Criteria for the Selection of the TPS Participants
		3.4.3 Invitations and Analysis of the Eligibility of Potential TPS Participants
	3.5 Contracts and Technical Information for TPS Participants
	3.6 Preparation and Dispatch of Samples and Reagents
		3.6.1 Definition of the Panel of Samples
		3.6.2 Reference Material
		3.6.3 Stability and Homogeneity Studies
		3.6.4 Dispatch of Samples and Reagents
	3.7 Collecting the TPS Results and Analysing the Data
	3.8 Reports and Dissemination Activities
Chapter 4: Conclusions
	4.1 Main Challenges and Recommendations
	4.2 Summary
Appendices
	Appendix 1. TPS Invitation Letter
	Appendix 2. TPS Participant´s Contract
	Appendix 3. TPS Participant´s Contact Information
	Appendix 4. TPS Technical Sheet
	Appendix 5. TPS Instruction Sheet
	Appendix 6. Example of Acknowledgement of Receipt of the Panel of Samples
	Appendix 7. TPS Results Form
	Appendix 8. Example of the Outline of the TPS Report
References