Abstract: Objective To promote the development of domestic laboratory animal detection proficiency testing activities and testing levels by assessing self testing capabilities. Methods The National Institutes for Food and Drug Control participated in the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS) laboratory animal detection proficiency test (i.e. Performance Evaluation Program for Diagnostic Laboratories, PEP) in 2013—2020. PEP pathogenic bacteria samples were tested by culture, biochemical identification, PCR, and sequencing. Finally, the results were analyzed and summarized. Results There were 40 samples in seven international PEP activities, involving 27 kinds of pathogenic bacteria. The coincidence rates of the seven results were 8/8, 2/2, 5/8, 9/9, 5/5, 6/7, and 1/1, respectively, including 33 pathogen detection items and 7 antibody detection items. Nine pathogens were missing from the national standards: Bordetella hinzii, Serratia marcescens, Corynebacterium mastitis, CAR (Cilia-associated respiratory) bacillus, Actinobacillus muris, Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella oxytoca, Streptococcus agalactiae, and pathogenic Escherichia coli. Conclusion Through participating in PEP, we can identify the differences between domestic and foreign standards in laboratory animal detection and the testing capabilities that we need to improve, expecting to be in line with international standards as soon as possible.

Key words: Laboratory animal, Performance evaluation program, Pathogenic bacteria, Antibody