To monitor for occurrence of false-positive samples, negative controls were included during extraction of the tick DNA (one control sample for each six tick samples, with a minimum of two controls).
The same trends were seen for kd values that were measured by ultrafast affinity extraction (1) when a point at the intercept, and representing the original sample, was included during analysis of the data by using eq 4; (2) when eq 4 was used with no such point being included in the data set; or (3) when the data were examined by using eq 5.
Control samples were included during all procedures.
Internal control samples were included during genotyping for quality control.
Every 11th sample, a negative processing control (empty tube), was included during DNA extraction.
It has also been suggested that samples should be processed in cleanrooms or cleanroom cabinets and that procedural controls should be included to verify contamination during sample processing [6, 11, 28, 47 49].
Under the new EPH, each individual is surveyed also four times, but now instead of these being consecutive with an equal lapse of between surveys, each person is included into the sample during two consecutive quarters, then is dropped the next two quarters, and finally included again for two additional quarters.
At the same time, a heat-treated (85°C for 10 minutes) negative control was included for each sample during incubation.
The IAC, at a concentration of 10 plasmid equivalents per reaction, was included in all samples during sensitivity testing and was detected at CT values from 27.2 – 27.2.
