Three-year nationwide survey of microbiology laboratory equipment conditions in China’s CDC: setting new benchmarks

Background: This study evaluates the penetration and evolution of laboratory equipment in China's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs) from 2021 to 2023, establishing benchmarks for optimal equipment configuration and operational capacity enhancement. Methods: Data were collected from CDCs at provincial, municipal, and county levels over three years using stratified sampling and structured questionnaires. These captured information on equipment penetration and user satisfaction. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and Fisher's exact tests, identified trends and disparities in equipment distribution across administrative tiers. Results: Analysis of 540 questionnaires from 376 CDCs showed that essential equipment like Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) and qPCR machines achieved over 95% penetration across all levels. Municipal CDCs reported the largest increases in equipment acquisition, followed by provincial CDCs, with minimal changes at the county level. The penetration of domestic qPCR machines rose from 21.8% in 2021% to 28.3% in 2023, with domestic brands closing the gap with international counterparts. Post-COVID-19, strategies for optimizing equipment utilization appear promising. Conclusion: This study provides a valuable dataset on microbiology laboratory equipment in China's CDCs, revealing distinct patterns in equipment retention and acquisition. Disparities in qPCR machine and High-throughput Sequencer (HTS) penetration and satisfaction rates highlight a shift toward domestic manufacturing. The findings offer essential benchmarks for optimizing laboratory infrastructure and enhancing public health responses.