EuroFlow PIDOT 2026
Primary ImmunoDeficiency Orientation Tube (PIDOT) EQA scheme
Aim of the scheme
The PIDOT scheme is divided into two parts.
The aim of the wet lab part is to test the technical quality of your sample preparation and measurement on the flow cytometer when applying the EuroFlow PIDOT antibody panel and relevant EuroFlow standard operating procedures (SOPs). You will stain 3 healthy donor peripheral blood samples sourced locally at your laboratory (note that no samples will be provided by ESLHO) with the PIDOT antibody panel and analyze the data. You will report the median fluorescence intensity (MedFI) values of 11 cell subsets of each sample.
The aim of the dry part is to evaluate your ability to analyze and interpret 2 provided FCS files that were acquired from patients with confirmed primary immunodeficiency (PID), non-PID disease controls in whom PID diagnosis was ruled out (as defined by the treating physician based on standard clinical care), or healthy donors. You will report your conclusions in terms of cell counts, interpretation of the cell counts against age-matched reference values, combined interpretation of the T- and B-cell maturation patterns, and the most compatible PID subtypes based on the immunophenotype and limited clinical information provided.
For both parts, you will report your results and conclusions via the ESLHO EQA Portal. In the wet lab part, your results will be compared to reference values based on Neirinck et al. 2024 and to the results of the other participants in the round, and in the dry part, to a consensus reference interpretation from EuroFlow experts.
Two rounds of the PIDOT scheme are offered in 2026: one in spring and one in autumn.
Performance and report
After each round, participating laboratories will be provided with an EQA certificate showing their performance as compared to the reference values and to other laboratories. In addition to the performance report, specific comments or recommendations on how routine practice could be improved may be provided.
Further details on data analysis, how participants’ performance is evaluated, and on the contents of the report can be found in the document “Scheme information” available on the Resources page.
Educational meeting
All EuroFlow schemes’ EQA rounds offered in 2026 will be concluded with an online educational meeting, which will include all rounds performed throughout the year. During the meeting, the rounds’ results will be shown (anonymized), possible problems and pitfalls will be discussed, and there will be the opportunity to receive direct feedback from the experts involved. More information regarding the educational meeting, including dates and times, will be announced at the end of 2026.
Organization
The PIDOT scheme is organized by ESLHO in collaboration with the EuroFlow EQA Committee. The EuroFlow EQA Committee is composed of members of the EuroFlow Consortium (www.euroflow.org). The laboratory at the University of Ghent, Ghent, BE, operates as the lead expert laboratory with Prof. Dr. Carolien Bonroy in the role of lead expert.
Further details on the task division of involved experts can be found in the document “Scheme information” available on the Resources page.
Participation fees
Participation in one round: € 270,-
Participation in both rounds: € 490,-
Participation is free for participants of the EuroFlow Consortium.