An important component of UKNEQAS Parasitology is education and the following components provide valuable educational support for participants.

Distribution of Teaching Sheets

When an unusual parasite is distributed or a particularly poor performance is noted, a teaching sheet which outlines the life cycle, the clinical presentation and the laboratory diagnosis of the parasite in question is issued.  This allows the participant to take individual action to investigate and remedy any defects revealed in their current methodology.

Introduction of "new" parasites

The UKNEQAS Scheme may also act as a medium for introducing clinical laboratories to unusual or "new" parasites which they otherwise would not see.  Such "new" parasites were Cyclospora cayetanensis in 1993 and more recently spores of microsporidia species.  Future distributions will include Acanthamoeba species. 

Introduction of "new" techniques

One such technique for which EQA was introduced was the modified version of the trichrome stain for the detection of species of microsporidia in immunocompromised patients with diarrhoea.

Introduction of a NEQAS Parasitology Associated Teaching Scheme

In April 1993, a NEQAS Parasitology associated teaching scheme for blood and faecal parasites commenced for the participants in the parasitology subscheme.  This extended teaching programme offers "hands on" practical experience in parasitology techniques by running regional courses throughout the UK and Eire.  Through this teaching programme, many problems in identifying parasites have been highlighted.  In April 1994, this teaching scheme was offered to the UKNEQAS Haematology participants.

The teaching section is divided into:

Diagnostic procedures

Helminths

Protozoa