APHL 2021 Poster Abstracts information is useful to State permittee agencies enforcing NPDES permits to dischargers as well as the environmental scientists that utilize data from multiple sources / EPA methods to study the health of aquatic ecosystems and / or enact regulations .
Presenter : Robin Newcome , Colorado Department of Health and Environment , robin . newcome @ state . co . us
Medical Marijuana Sample Study : Decreasing the Sample Amount While Preserving Homogeneity
K . Thomas , D . Wene , C . H . Yu , S . O ’ Leary and T . Fan , New Jersey Department of Health , Ewing , NJ
Since 2012 , the New Jersey Department of Health has tested medical marijuana ( MM ) plant materials for cannabinoids ( potency ), heavy metals , mycotoxins , and pesticides . For these analyses , the NJ Medical Marijuana Program ( NJMMP ) would collect five randomly selected subsamples (~ 2.5g each and as a total of ~ 12.5g ) from each new cultivar for analyses . Each individual sample is ground and then combined to form a composite sample for the above analyses , and the testing results are used for labeling the batch of the marijuana products . We investigate the amount required of the individual MM cultivar to maintain accurate representation of the potency and preserve the homogeneity of the subsamples while decreasing the amount needed for the NJMMP testing . Our study was designed to examine 2 reduced sample amounts ( 2g and 1.5g for each individual subsample ) would suffice for the NJMMP requirements . Since metals , pesticides , and mycotoxins were mostly non-detectable in submitted MM cultivars , we performed experiments only for cannabinoid contents in cultivars ( n = 5 ) with original ( 2.5g ) and two reduced subsampling amounts ( 1.5g and 2g ). To compare differences between two testing amounts in 5 MM cultivars , percent differences were calculated for cannabinoids from each cultivar as well as a statistical difference was determined ( paired t-test ; p < 0.05 ). Among the eight cannabinoids measured in MM potency test , 6 cannabinoids that were detected above LODs were selected and compared . The six cannabinoids are : cannabigerolic acid ( CBGA ), cannabidiolic acid ( CBDA ), Cannabigerol ( CBG ), cannabidiol ( CBD ), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid ( THCA ), and delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC ). For the 2 vs . 2.5g , the % difference varied over cannabinoids and cultivars ( CBDA , 2.50 - 22.74 %; CBGA -8.15 - 6.43 %; CBD , -4.66 - 8.44 %; CBG , -2.35 - 3.85 %, THCA , -4.06 - 4.99 %; THC , -10.70 - 11.18 %). For the 1.5 vs . 2.5g , the % difference similarly varied over cannabinoids and cultivars ( CBDA , -10.11 - 13.79 %; CBGA -14.50 - 7.07 %; CBD , -4.38 - 8.63 %; CBG , -6.58 - 20.77 %, THCA , -6.75 - 6.98 %; THC , -11.63 - 8.22 %). Paired T-tests showed there were no significant differences between the 2g and the 2.5g ( p = 0.07 ) as well as between the 1.5g and the 2.5g ( p = 0.43 ). Based on these findings , the sample amount required for the NJMMP ’ s potency and screening tests was reduced from previously 12.5g to 7.5g ( five individual subsamples of 1.5g ) for new MM cultivars since May 2019 . Future work includes replicating these experiments by expanding to a greater number of MM cultivars to reflect greater variances in NJ MM cultivars and to confirm our findings from this pilot project . Further investigation of probable differences in cannabinoid contents by cultivar type as well as cultivation season or year can be explored through this expanded dataset .
Presenter : Katherine Thomas , New Jersey Department of Health , katherine . thomas @ doh . nj . gov
FOOD SAFETY
Three Florida Restaurant Outbreaks of Cyclospora Associated with Basil from a Single Distributor Highlight Enhanced Summer Surveillance and Laboratory Confirmation
P . Rehme 1 , J . Crain 2 , D . Bodager 1 , K . Tomson 3 ; 1 Florida Department of Health , Tallahassee , FL , 2 Virginia Department of Health , Richmond , VA , 3 Florida Bureau of Public Health Laboratories , Jacksonville , FL
Background : In the summer of 2019 , the Florida Department of Health investigated multiple Cyclospora cayetanensis outbreaks ; 467 Cyclospora cases were reported across the state between June- August , 2019 . During the 13 years prior , 418 cases were reported statewide during the same summer months ( the total number of cases or the cumulative incidence from 2006 – 2018 was 646 cases ). Previously the largest Cyclospora outbreak in Florida history occurred March – June , 2005 ( n = 460 ).
Methods : Heightened Cyclospora surveillance utilizing a hypothesisgenerating questionnaire during the summer months improved early detection of clusters for enhanced investigation . This response included focused environmental health assessments and product invoice acquisition . Clinical specimens were analyzed by both private laboratories and the state Bureau of Public Health Laboratories using molecular techniques and standard microscopy . Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) partners conducted product traceback utilizing retail invoice information .
Results : Three restaurant-associated outbreaks were identified in which cases reported eating basil as a common food exposure . The largest outbreak totaled 153 cases ( 50 laboratory confirmed ), and the other two each had 11 cases , six and seven confirmed , respectively . Of those 175 cases , three required hospitalization , 75 % sought non-emergent medical care , and 33 % reported symptom duration in excess of 20 days . Detection of these two smaller outbreaks was aided by provider notification and the availability of private laboratory results . FDA tracebacks indicated that fresh basil exported by one Mexican distribution firm was most likely the source of all three outbreaks , as well as a larger nationwide outbreak .
Conclusions : Rapid identification of the product and the outbreak pathogen allowed for effective traceback efforts and the implementation of control measures ( FDA alert and voluntary product recall ) to prevent additional outbreaks . This highlights the importance of heightened surveillance and laboratory confirmation during the seasonal peak of cyclosporiasis .
Presenter : Paul Rehme , Florida Department of Health , paul . rehme @ flhealth . gov
Environmental Health / Food Safety
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Summer 2021 LAB MATTERS 55 |