@article{9126,
  keywords = {Humans, leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae, Observer Variation, Reproducibility of Results, Skin},
  author = {Abraham B and Cariappa A},
  title = {Inter- and intra-laboratory variation in the reporting of skin smears in leprosy.},
  abstract = {<p>This paper defines the variations in the reporting of skin smears between a base and field laboratory in a leprosy control program. Ten percent of all slides read by the field laboratory in a control area were re-read by the base laboratory. There was almost no variation in the reporting of negative slides, but a variation of 1 + was present in approximately 92% of positive slides. Thus, there was agreement in approximately 8% of positive slides. This paper also defines the variations in the reporting of positive slides under "ideal" conditions by describing the results of a study on intra- and inter-observer variations among technicians at the base laboratory. There was between 45% and 55% agreement within observers and about 36% agreement between observers. The results of both studies are compared. Simple guidelines are derived to monitor the reporting of skin smears in leprosy control programs.</p>
},
  year = {1991},
  journal = {International journal of leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases : official organ of the International Leprosy Association},
  volume = {59},
  pages = {76-81},
  month = {1991 Mar},
  issn = {0148-916X},
  url = {http://ila.ilsl.br/pdfs/v59n1a11.pdf},
  language = {eng},
}