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 pathogens require specialized testing and identification procedures that can be done at the MDH Labs, in its capacity as a 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 Public 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 pathogens. These pathogens include Brucella spp., Burkholderia mallei and pseudomallei, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, and Bacillus anthracis.

LRN Sentinel Level Clinical Lab Protocols

Biothreat Agent Bench Cards for the Sentinel Laboratory