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Bacterial Isolates - Rule Out as Select Agents

Bacterial Isolates that Cannot Be Ruled Out as Select Agents
​Laboratory Response Network (LRN) Sentinel labs and other diagnostic laboratories are responsible for performing microbiological testing on a variety of specimen types and may encounter many different pathogens. Select Agent and other bacterial pathogens can require specialized testing and identification procedures that can be done at the MDH Labs, in its capacity as an LRN Reference Lab. It is the responsibility of the Sentinel or diagnostic lab to perform rule out testing prior to notifying the Reference Lab. The American Society for Microbiology (ASM), in conjunction with the Association for Publi​c Health Labs (APHL), has put together materials that laboratories can utilize to assist with the performance of testing that can be used to rule out Select Agent and other pathogens. These pathogens include Burkholderia mallei and pseudomallei, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, and Bacillus anthracis. Brucella species, while no longer a Select Agent, still requires additional precautions while handling specimens.

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