WHO Consultation on Diagnostic Procedures for Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies: Need for Reference Reagents and Reference Panels

Overview

A Consultation of scientists active in relevant aspects of TSE research was convened at WHO in Geneva on 22-23 March 1999. The Consultation was opened by Dr Michael Scholtz, Executive Director of the Health Technology and Pharmaceuticals Cluster, WHO. Dr Scholtz stated that the objectives of the Consultation were to evaluate progress so far, to assess needs for standardization, and to plan further WHO activities for development of appropriate reference materials and reagents. Improved diagnosis should help to reduce the risk of transmitting disease to animals and to human populations through exposure to contaminated food or to biological materials used in the production of medicinal products. Reference preparations will be an essential tool in the validation of diagnostic procedures and their application to many aspects of health technology and pharmaceuticals. Decisions concerning the safety of pharmaceutical and blood products will be affected by these developments.