Biothreat 101: Hands-On Workshop for Indiana Sentinel Laboratories

DESCRIPTION

This hands-on program will provide an overview of the clinical laboratory’s role as a sentinel laboratory, including the presumptive identification of some of the primary agents of bioterrorism. Laboratory exercises will demonstrate the culture, staining and biochemical characteristics of Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, Brucella spp., Burkholderia mallei, and Burholderia pseudomallei. The safety implications of handling suspect organisms in clinical isolates and culture and suspect toxins will be emphasized. Policies related to select agents and packaging and shipping of specimens will be reviewed.

OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of this program, the participants will be able to:

• Discuss the role of the clinical laboratorian in the presumptive identification of organisms and toxins targeted for use in bioterrorism and the safety implications of handling suspect samples in clinical specimens and isolates.
• Recognize culture, staining, and biochemical characteristics of the primary agents likely to be involved in a bioterrorist event including Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, Brucella spp., Burkholderia mallei, and Burkholderia pseudomallei.
• Outline the process for contacting appropriate personnel and transporting samples suspected of containing smallpox, ricin, or botulism to the Indiana Department of Health Laboratories.
• Describe the development of lab-specific biosafety and biosecurity plans in hospital facilities utilizing federal recommendations.
• Explain the concept of select agents and requirements for for completing select agent forms

AUDIENCE

This intermediate-level program is designed for the laboratorian with bench-level clinical microbiology experience. The capacity for this training is 12 participants. It is suggested that only one person per facility attend this workshop to ensure other facilities throughout Indiana have the opportunity to learn.

QUESTIONS

Please reach out to the Indiana Department of Health Laboratory at [email protected] or contact Joseph Hunt at 317-232-0928.

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