WEEK 09: 23 FEBRUARY 2026 RUN – JGK Lab AfriQA

Scheme Description and Code	Samples			Samples reconstitution	Testing timeframe	Approved test methods	Sheet to be used for submission of results to JGK	Unit of measurement (Results)	Number of test replicates per sample
Scheme Description and Code	Type	Identification (as per the labels)	Storage	Samples reconstitution	Testing timeframe	Approved test methods	Sheet to be used for submission of results to JGK	Unit of measurement (Results)	Number of test replicates per sample
Antibiogram – Mastitis pathogens JGKPT02	2 x FD cultures	ATB 01/M – Dairy cow ATB 02/M – Dairy cow	2-8^oC	Allow cultures and sDH₂O to adjust to room temperature. Remove seals and bungs from the vials and add 500 µl of sDH₂O to vial 1 (ATB 01/M), and 800 µl to vial 2 (ATB 02/M). Allow the pellet to dissolve completely. Tilt the vial at different angles if necessary to dissolve all materials. Immediately, saturate a sterile swab with the reconstituted sample and inoculate 1/3 of the agar/culture plates (plates as per your lab’s SOP). Using a sterile loop, streak to facilitate discrete colonies	These samples are not intended to be stored. Test the samples immediately upon receipt and reconstitution	Culturing: Micro Susceptibility: Disc diffusion (Kirby-Bauer) / Qualitative	R.E.F 01.02 (available for download from www.jgklab.co.za)	Zone Ø in millimeters. Report results as: Sensitive (S), Intermediate (I), Resistance (R)	Culture: 1 rep Susceptibility: 3 replicates (supplied discs)
Antibiogram – Mastitis pathogens JGKPT02	Antimicrobial discs (x 30)	Oxacillin 1 µg; Oxoid 3646648; exp.03/2026 Cephalothin 30 µg; Oxoid 3591986; Exp. 03/12/2025 Oxytetracycline 30 µg; Oxoid 6265879; Exp. 14/05//2028	2-8^oC	Commercial discs: Ready to use			R.E.F 01.02 (available for download from www.jgklab.co.za)
Antimicrobial residues – Meat JGKPT23-25	4 x Fresh samples (chicken liver)	RES 01/F – RES 04/F	2-8^oC	Fresh samples: Ready to process	Test immediately upon receipt	Rapid test Microbiology Chromatography	R.E.F 23-25 (available for download from www.jgklab.co.za)	Presence/Absence of antimicrobials Name of the antibiotic	1 rep
Antimicrobial residues – Milk JGKPT20-22	4 x FD cow’s milk 4 x Fresh (liquid) cow’s milk	RES 01 – RES 04	2-8^oC	Freeze-dried milk: Add 10 ml sterile DH₂O to each jar. NB: Do not use cold water. Samples must adjust to room temperature for ≥ 30 min. before adding sD.H₂O. D.H₂O must be at 37 °C in a water bath for ≥30 min. before use. Mix the content thoroughly on a vortex until there are no clumps. Liquid milk: Ready to use.	Test immediately upon receipt/ reconstitution	Rapid test Microbiology Chromatography	R.E.F 20-22 (available for download from www.jgklab.co.za)	Presence/Absence of antimicrobials Name of the antibiotic	1 rep
Food hygiene/safety – Pathogen detection JGKPT25-30	5 x Amies swabs 5 x FD Backup samples	FH 01 – FH 05	2-8^oC	Amies swabs: Ready to process Freeze-dried cultures (BKP): Allow cultures and sDH₂O to adjust to room temperature. Remove seals and bungs from the vials and add 800 µl of sDH₂O to each vial. Allow the pellet to dissolve completely. Tilt the vial at different angles if necessary to dissolve all materials. Immediately, saturate a sterile swab with the reconstituted sample and inoculate 1/3 of the agar/culture plates (plates as per your lab’s SOP). Using a sterile loop, streak to facilitate discrete colonies	Test immediately upon receipt/ reconstitution	Microbiology (conventional & PCR)	R.E.F 27-30 (available for download from www.jgklab.co.za)	Presence/absence of the target bacteria	1 rep
Food hygiene/safety – pathogen enumeration	4 x FD samples	FH 01/Counts – FH 04/ Counts	2-8^oC	Allow samples to adjust to room temperature. Add 6 ml of preheated (37 °C) sterile DH₂O to each jar. Mix the content thoroughly on a vortex until there are no clumps	These samples are not intended to be stored. Test the samples immediately upon receipt and reconstitution	Microbiology (conventional & PCR)	R.E.F 27-30 (available for download from www.jgklab.co.za)	Counts	TBC: 2 reps Coliforms: 2 reps E. coli: 2 reps
Mastitis pathogens JGKPT34	1 x FD culture 1 x Bulk tank cow’s milk	MAST 01 – MAST 02	2-8^oC	FD culture: Allow culture and sDH₂O to adjust to room temperature. Remove seal and bung from the vial and add 500 µl of sDH₂O to the vial. Allow the pellet to dissolve completely. Immediately, saturate a sterile swab with the reconstituted sample and inoculate 1/3 of the agar/culture plates (plates as per your lab’s SOP). Using a sterile loop, streak to facilitate discrete colonies	These samples are not intended to be stored. Test the samples immediately upon receipt and reconstitution	Culture & ID	R.E.F 33-34 (available for download from www.jgklab.co.za)	Target bacteria	1 rep
Milk hygiene: TBC, Coliforms, and E. coli counts JGKPT17-19	4 x FD milk (bovine)	MH 01 – MH 04	2-8^oC	Add 6 ml sterile DH₂O to each jar NB: Do not use cold water. Samples must adjust to room temperature for ≥ 30 min. before adding sD.H₂O. D.H₂O must be at 37 °C in a water bath for ≥ 30 min. before use. Mix the content thoroughly on a vortex until there are no clumps.	These samples are not intended to be stored. Test the samples immediately upon receipt and reconstitution	3M Petri Films Conventional technique	R.E.F 17-19 (available for download from www.jgklab.co.za)	Counts	TBC: 2 reps Coliforms: 2 reps E. coli: 2 reps
Treatment of samples No special treatment should be given to the PT samples. They [samples] should be handled in the same manner as all the other samples routinely tested in the laboratory. Handling and safety requirements Contact surfaces must be decontaminated with 70% alcohol or other suitable disinfectants. Used laboratory utensils must be cleaned and sterilized as per the laboratory standard operating procedure. Unused materials and waste must be removed as per the laboratory waste management protocol. This involves autoclaving and/or removal by an approved waste removal company. Specific environmental conditions required for the participant to conduct tests: None Results recording Only the supplied Excel “Result entry forms” [R.E.F] should be used to capture the PT results. The Participants must fill in the cover page and answer all questions before capturing the results on R.E.F. Submission of PT results to JGK All results must be submitted on or before Wednesday, the 18^th of March 2026. Any results received after this date will not be included in the analysis. Enquiries For any inquiry, please use the contact details provided above to contact JGK Return of the proficiency test items None