CDC - Laboratory Information, Testing, Agents, Specimens, Response, Biosafety, Collection, Shipping, Training

[sharon sanders]

Laboratory Information

On this page:

• Preparedness for Specific Types of Laboratory Information
• Overviews
• Testing & Presumptive Agent Identification
• Biosafety
• Specimen Collection & Shipping
• Agent Access, Use, & Transfer Regulations, Registration
• Training
• Laboratory Response Network
• Contacts
• Specific Agents & Health Topics

Preparedness for Specific Types of Laboratory Information

• Bioterrorism Emergencies
• Chemical Emergencies

Overviews

• CDC Laboratory Response Network (LRN) website
  Overview of the LRN, an integrated network of state & local public health, federal, military, & international labs that can respond to both bioterrorism & chemical terrorism.
• CDC's Laboratory Response to Suspicious Substances
  Explains how federal, state, & local agencies respond to threatening letters & how labs play a role in detection & response.

Testing & Presumptive Agent Identification

• Sentinel (formerly level A) laboratory procedures for identification of various agents
  Protocols for sentinel laboratories are no longer posted on this site. The American Society for Microbiology has agreed to take the lead in the development and dissemination of sentinel laboratory information. Sentinel procedures may now be accessed at http://www.asm.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6342&Itemid=639. Information for reference laboratories will continue to be available on the Laboratory Response Network secure Website (for questions: e-mail lrn@cdc.gov; tollfree HelpDesk 1-866-LRN-LABS [1-866-576-5227]). The CDC subject matter experts on individual organisms remain available for discussion as always. (Spanish translations available)
• Flowchart: Chemical Terrorism Event Specimen Collection <!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->(CT Collection Guidelines Version 11.06)
  This is a one-page document containing directions and visual representations for use in collecting blood and urine specimens from potentially exposed individuals.
• MMWR: Public Health Contacts for Laboratory Testing To Confirm Exposure During a Potential or Known Chemical Terrorism Event
  MMWR 14 Jan 2005;54(RR01):25.
• Negative Staining Electron Microscopic Protocol for Rash Illness<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem --> (458 KB/8 pages)
  Instructions for laboratorians
• Presumptive Bacillus anthracis Identification and Similar Organisms<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem --> (72 KB/1 page)
  (Spanish translation available)
• Approved Tests for the Detection of Bacillus anthracis in the U.S. Laboratory Response Network
  (Spanish translation available)
• Presumptive Brucella spp. Identification and Similar Organisms<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem --> (68 KB/1 page)
  (Spanish translation available)
• Specimen Collection of Smallpox (Vaccinia) Vaccine Virus
  Step-by-step instructions for laboratorians
• Smallpox Specimen Collection Guidelines<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem --> (98 KB/12 pages)
  From "Guide D" in the / Smallpox Response Plan & Guidelines
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  <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->Word (101 KB/12 pages)
• Spot Tests of Selected Organisms<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem --> (96 KB/1 page)
  (Spanish translation available)

Biosafety

• Microbiology Biosafety<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem --> (303 KB/1 page)
  Risk and precautions for Level A laboratories, by agent.
  (Spanish translation available)
• Vaccines<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem --> (57 KB/1 page)
  Vaccine type, efficacy, comments, and requirements, by agent.
• Summary of Biosafety Level 1 & 2 for Infectious Agents<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem --> (54 KB/2 pages)
  Table of primary and secondary containment methods, equipment, and facilities.
  (Spanish translation available)

Specimen Collection & Shipping

• Infectious Agents: Specimen Shipping & Packing
  Information & guidance on shipping infectious substances & diagnostic specimens
• Infectious Agents: Specimen Selection<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem --> (303 KB/4 pages)
  Selection, transport, storage, plating and processing, by disease agent.
  <!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/wpd_icon_indented.lbi" -->
  
  <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->WordPerfect (29 KB/4 pages)
  (Spanish translation available)
• Chemical Agents: Shipping Instructions for Specimens Collected From People Who May Have Been Exposed to Chemical-Terrorism Agents<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->(112 KB/7 pages) (CSH Guidelines Version 10.07)
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Shipping Instructions for Specimens Collected from People Who May Have Been Exposed to Chemical-Terrorism Agents"
• Chemical Agents: Instructions for Shipping Blood Specimens to CDC after a Chemical Event<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->(643 KB/1 page) (CT Blood Shipping Pictorial Version 5.08)
  This is a one-page document containing photographs, and related text, of the required steps necessary for packaging and shipping blood specimens to CDC.
• Chemical Agents: Chemical Terrorism Blood Specimen Collection and Shipping Manifest<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->(69 KB/2 pages)
• Chemical Agents: Instructions for Shipping Urine Specimens to CDC after a Chemical Event<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->(484 KB/2 pages) (CT Urine Shipping Pictorial Version 5.08)
  This is a one-page document containing photographs, and related text, of the required steps necessary for packaging and shipping urine specimens to CDC.
• Chemical Agents: Chemical Terrorism Urine Specimen Collection and Shipping Manifest<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->(15 KB/2 pages)

Agent Access, Use, & Transfer Regulations, Registration

• Laboratory Registration/Select Agent Transfer Program
  Regulations regarding registration for access, use, and transfer of select agents for research purposes. From the Office of Health and Safety.

Training

• Coping with Bioterrorism ? The Role of the Laboratorian - Nov. 9, 2001
  Archived video webcast & text transcript
• National Laboratory Training Network (NLTN)
  Provides clinical, environmental, and public health laboratory training courses. Site includes extensive bioterrorism resources

Laboratory Response Network

• Facts About the Laboratory Response Network
  Description of the network of labs that respond to biological & chemical terrorism.
• CDC Laboratory Response Network (LRN) website
  Overview of the LRN, an integrated network of state & local public health, federal, military, & international labs that can respond to both bioterrorism & chemical terrorism.
• Presentation: Overview of the Laboratory Response Network<!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/pdf_icon_faded.lbi" --> <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->(3.10 MB/24 pages)
  <!-- #BeginLibraryItem "/Library/ppt_icon_faded_indented.lbi" -->
  
  <!-- #EndLibraryItem -->PowerPoint (3.12 MB/24 pages)
  Overview of the LRN, an integrated network of state & local public health, federal, military, & international labs that can respond to both bioterrorism & chemical terrorism.

Contacts

• Program questions:
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Program, 404-639-2797.
• Training questions:
  Public Health Practice Program Office, Division of Laboratory Systems, 770-488-8295.

Related Resources

• American Society for Microbiology (ASM)
• Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL)