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Background: There is a need for laboratories to participate in EQA schemes to achieve a harmonization of test results and to improve serological testing and research on COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2. The Boditech iCHROMA point of care immunoassay analyser has a Covid-19 antibody assay for the qualitative determination of IgG antibodies in human whole blood/serum/plasma. The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) in the United Kingdom has a portfolio of reference and research reagents, including reagents for EQA that are available to laboratories to help them set up and develop accurate diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 assays. Objectives: To determine the performance of the Boditech iCHROMA Covid-19 IgG antibody assay using the external quality control material provided by the UK NIBSC (National Institute for Biological Standards and Control). Results: The Boditech iCHROMA Covid-19 IgG assay using the cut off index >1.1, reported the results of the 33 positive control samples as positive with index range from 19.50 – 29.00, with a mean of 23.75 and standard deviation of SD of 2.53. It also reported the results of the 33 negative control samples as negative with an index range of 0.00 for all samples. Conclusion: The performance of the Boditech iCHROMA Covid-19 IgG antibody assay using external quality control material from the UK NIBSC was very good, confirming the precision of the Boditech iCHROMA Covid 19 IgG antibody method.

Introduction: Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is a non-infectious epidemic which can be prevented and controlled effectively with good quality of life in compliant children following the conventional inhalational therapies diligently. Paediatric Rhino-conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (PRQLQ), devised by Professor Elizabeth Juniper is a validated questionnaire consisting of 23 parameters in 5domains. It is one of the best possible ways to judge the clinical severity and improvement in the affected children. Aims and Objectives:To study the clinical profile in childhood Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis. Material and Methods:The study included 30patients in the age group of 6to12years diagnosed with Allergic Rhinitis. The Quality of Life was analysed using Paediatric Rhino-conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (PRQLQ).Results: Cough featured in (90%) of the subjects followed by sneezing, rhinorrhoea and nose block. Allergic shiners were seen in (63%) children followed by Deviated Nasal Septum (DNS) in (46.7%) and Inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) in (40%) cases. The Quality of Life parameters revealed nasal symptoms (100%), Practical problems (80%) and Activity limitations (70%). Majority of the subjects had mild affection (66.7%) in different domains of PRQLQ. Asthma was the most common comorbidity (90%) and family history of Allergic Rhinitis featured in (66.7%) cases. Conclusion:All the domains of PRQLQ have to be critically evaluated in childhood AR. The questionnaire would aid in clinical assessment, therapeutic alterations and over all well-being of the child.