APHL 2019 POSTER ABSTRACTS
Novel aspect: We applied existing cutoffs levels with second tier
analysis results in contrast with CLIR results. This allows for a
retrospective cutoff level evaluation. Developing this model will allow
for more efficient ongoing evaluation of NBS cutoffs.
Presenter: Robert B. Dixon, South Carolina Department of Health
& Environmental Control, Columbia, SC, [email protected]
Preparedeness and Response
Public Health Laboratory Outreach to First Responders
S. Abrams 1 , L. Marchetti 2 , R. Nickla 3 ; 1 Association of Public Health
Laboratories, 2 Rhode Island Department of Health, 3 Oregon State
Public Health Laboratory
As a priority for many PHLs, PHPR has developed various resources
to enhance outreach and training efforts to first responder groups.
This poster presents an overview of these resources as well as
several programs implemented by various PHLs, while detailing
ongoing challenges that PHLs face with balancing an integrated
response to biological and chemical threats. Moreover, it also
describes new programs that state PHLs are developing to respond
to emerging threats that both laboratorians and first responders
experience alike, such as challenges and opportunities with opioid
response efforts.
Collectively these efforts align with PHPR’s position statement
on field screening kits and devices, which while opposing the
use of federally unapproved field screening kits and devices for
biological and chemical warfare agents, seeks to ensure that quality
assurance programs are developed to provide field validation and
training methods to maintain the safety of both first responders and
laboratorians.
Presenter: Samuel Abrams, Association of Public Health
Laboratories, Silver Spring, MD, [email protected]
Celebrating 20 Years of Laboratory Response Network
for Biological Threats Preparedness (LRN-B)
T. Wolford, Association of Public Health Laboratories
Silver Spring, MD
Presenter: Tyler Wolford, Association of Public Health Laboratories,
Silver Spring, MD, [email protected]
Stability Testing of Laboratory Response Network (LRN)
Real-time PCR Positive DNA Control A (KT0074) and Real-
time PCR Positive DNA Control B (KT0097)
M.K. White 1 , S. Rager 1 , M. Lawson 1 , T. Sanders 2 , P. Syribeys 1 ;
1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 IHRC, Inc.
The short shelf-life of Laboratory Response Network (LRN) positive
control material adds to the cost of our national response. The
expiry of Real-time PCR Positive DNA Control A (Plasmid A) and Real-
time PCR Positive DNA Control B (Plasmid B) were originally one
(1) year from date of manufacture. The current shelf-life requires
new production lots annually, resulting discarded unused materials
by CDC and LRN laboratories. In an effort to reduce both the cost
of production and the amount of discarded material, a study was
conducted to extend the shelf-life and confirm the 6 month in-use
stability claim for Plasmids A and B. The control plasmids (Plasmids
A and B) were tested using 14 and 17 separate signatures in real-
time PCR assays, respectively. Shelf-life and in-use testing was
performed in accordance with LPRB ‘Product Release Testing for
Real-time PCR Positive DNA Controls A and B Bulk and Finished
Kits’ work instruction. For shelf-life testing, three (3) kits from each
specified lot were tested in triplicate and the average value of each
signature was analyzed to determine if the acceptance criteria was
met. For In-use stability testing, one (1) kit from each specified lot
was tested in triplicate monthly for seven (7) months and average
value of each primer and probe set was analyzed to determine if the
acceptance criteria was met. Plasmid A was found to have a shelf-
life stability of 24 months when stored at -20°C and six (6) months
when stored at 2-8°C. Plasmid B was found to have a shelf-life
stability of 36 months when stored at -20°C and six (6) months
when stored at 2-8°C. Based on the results of this study, the expiry
date of Plasmid A has been extended to 24 months and Plasmid
B has been extended to 36 months. The expiration date extension
aids LPRB and LRN laboratories in reducing the cost of production
and amount of unused materials discarded annually.
The expiry date extension of Plasmid A and Plasmid B aids LPRB in
reducing material production costs, shipment costs and disposal
costs associated with providing materials to the LRN partner
laboratories.
Presenter: Stacy Rager, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Atlanta, GA, [email protected]
In 2019, the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) will celebrate
20 years of preparedness and response efforts that protect the
public’s health against threat agents such as anthrax and ricin.
In the beginning, the LRN only had the capability to detect and
respond to bioterrorism agents. Since then the LRN has expanded
76
LAB MATTERS Summer 2019
PublicHealthLabs
@APHL
APHL.org
The Association of Public Health Laboratories’ (APHL) Public Health
Preparedness and Response (PHPR) Committee provides important
resources to public health laboratories (PHLs) that seek to improve
their abilities to effectively communicate with, and provide guidance
to, first responders. This includes police, fire, hazardous materials
(HAZMAT) teams, and National Guard Civil Support Teams (CSTs)
communities. These efforts align with APHL’s strategic goals and
are a key priority for PHPR towards on all-hazards laboratory
preparedness for emergencies including terrorism, natural
disasters, and emerging threats, and their subsequent responses,
as they relate to issues affecting public health laboratories APHL’s
membership.
to include chemical, radiological and emerging infectious disease
threats. From the founding in 1999 and subsequent anthrax attacks
in 2001, to outbreaks of Ebola in 2014 and Zika in 2016, the LRN-B
is ready to respond. This poster will focus on the LRN for Biological
Threats Preparedness (LRN-B) and provide a timeline illustrating
major milestones in the evolution of the Network. The poster will
also showcase short stories from LRN-B member laboratories
describing actual events.