Abstract: Objective To evaluate the detection capacity of schistosomiasis laboratories at the surveillance sites in Hunan Province for reference in improving the capacity of schistosomiasis surveillance system. Methods By stratified sampling, 12 diagnostic network laboratories were selected from the 57 laboratories designated in 41 count-level schistosomiasis epidemic areas in Hunan Province, and underwent evaluation for the detection ability using standard quality control samples that consisted of serum, Kato-Katz thick smear and egg suspension. The assessment included qualitative and titer determination of the standard sample serum by using indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA), qualification and counting of the schistosome eggs using modified Kato-Katz thick smear, and qualitative detection of the egg suspension using egg hatching method after nylon mesh bag concentration. The tested results at each county-level laboratory were compared with the standard quality control samples based on the coincidence rate and qualification rate of qualitative samples, and evaluated by final scores. Results Qualitative coincidence rate was 96.67% (58/60), 83.33% (50/60) and 91.67% (33/36), respectively for IHA, modified Kato-Katz thick smear and egg hatching method after nylon mesh bag concentration. All tested results met the quality control requirements. The total qualified rate of titer detection of the positive reference by IHA was 54.17% (13/24), and the qualified rate for egg count by modified Kato-Katz thick smear was 30.00% (6/20). Of the 12 diagnostic laboratories at surveillance sites, 7 were rated as "excellent", 2 as "good" and 3 as "qualified". Conclusion The assessment results demonstrate that the ability of schistosomiasis detection at county level in Hunan Province can basically meet the needs of the laboratory diagnosis, yet the quantitative diagnosis of schistosomiasis such as serum titer and egg count requires strengthening.

Key words: Schistosomiasis, Network laboratory, Detection capability, Assessment, Surveillance, Hunan Province