Partnership with healthcare institutions strengthens VigiRAM monitoring, enhancing surveillance and prevention in Brazil.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the greatest threats to global health, has gained reinforcement in Brazil. Controllab, a leading provider of laboratory quality control in Latin America, has joined the project VigiRAM – Fortalecimento de um Sistema Brasileiro de Vigilância e Prevenção da Resistência Antimicrobiana. The initiative monitors and prevents the spread of resistant microorganisms across all Brazilian states.
The project is coordinated by the Laboratório de Bacteriologia Aplicada à Saúde Única e Resistência Antimicrobiana (LabSUR/LAPIH) of the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/Fiocruz), the Coordenação-Geral de Laboratórios de Saúde Pública da Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente do Ministério da Saúde (CGLAB/SVSA/MS), and the Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Paraná (Lacen-PR). It also includes partnerships with the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) and two institutions from the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp): the Laboratório Especial de Micologia (LEMI) and the Grupo de Análise em Infecções e Antimicrobianos (GAIA). The project is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States (CDC/USA).
The goal is to expand and strengthen a national system capable of monitoring, preventing, and responding rapidly to AMR cases—a challenge that threatens treatment effectiveness and increases the risk of hospital outbreaks. These actions are fully aligned with the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Antimicrobial Resistance, strengthening the country’s public health system.
Controllab’s Participation
Throughout 2025, Controllab was contracted to contribute to the project through the development and implementation of customized External Quality Control programs (Proficiency Testing) in the fields of bacteriology and mycology, in addition to supplying Reference Strains. These actions are complemented by educational initiatives that promote the ongoing training of participating laboratories and strengthen national surveillance efforts.
VigiRAM brings together 56 institutions across all Brazilian states, including 27 sentinel hospitals, 27 Central Public Health Laboratories (LACEN), and two specialized research laboratories. The focus is on the identification of microorganisms, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and conducting phenotypic and genotypic tests for bacterial and fungal resistance.
Public Health Impact
Controllab’s participation enhances the project’s impact by strengthening the national capacity for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance. The implementation of quality programs—already recognized within the analytical sector—promotes greater accuracy in microbiological testing, a critical factor for reliable diagnoses, improved laboratory routines, and well-informed public health policies.
This collaboration reaffirms the commitment of the scientific and public health communities to health security and quality of life for the population. For Controllab, being part of this initiative aligns with its mission to ensure the accuracy and reliability of laboratory results—essential elements for correct diagnoses and effective healthcare.
