News
25 October 2001
HAND-HELD IMMUNOASSAYS FOR DETECTION OF Bacillus anthracis SPORES
-----Original Message-----
From: Gleason, Edward
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 4:16 PM
To: *DMA-WEM CO EM DIR
Cc: *DMA-WEM Regional Offices; *DMA-WEM Central
Subject: FW: CDC Health Advisory - Rapid Anthrax Test
-----Original Message-----
From: Bailey, Larry [mailto:Larry.Bailey@fema.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 1:21 PM
To: Capt. Edward Buikema; Dale W. Shipley; Edward J. Gleason; Jerry
Rosendahl (E-mail); Michael Chamness; Patrick R. Ralston
Cc: Odeshoo, Janet; Skarosi, David
Subject: FW: CDC Health Advisory - Rapid Anthrax Test
This following CDC advisory was discussed by HHS/ESF 8 rep Carl Adrianopoli
at today's RISC meeting. I believe Carl as also sent this through state
channels to appropriate health agencies. Larry
-----Original Message-----
From: Adrianopoli, Carl [mailto:CAdrianopoli@osophs.dhhs.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 12:17
To: 'david.sclerosi@FEMA.gov'; 'larry.bailey@FEMA.gov';
'dan.behment@FEMA.gov'
Subject: FW: CDC Health Advisory - Rapid Anthrax Test
Here is the CDC review of smart tickets
-----Original Message-----
From: Health Alert Network [mailto:healthalert@cdc.gov]
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2001 8:37 PM
To: Health Alert Network
Subject: CDC Health Advisory - Rapid Anthrax Test
This is an official
CDC Health Advisory
Distributed via Health Alert Network
October 18, 2001, 21:30 EDT (9:30 PM EDT)
Priority: Medium
Purpose: to update public and private labs and others on rapid anthrax test.
HAND-HELD IMMUNOASSAYS FOR DETECTION OF Bacillus anthracis SPORES
Hand-held assays (sometimes referred to as "Smart Tickets") are sold
commercially for the rapid detection of Bacillus anthracis. These assays are
intended only for the screening of environmental samples. First responder
and law enforcement communities are using these as instant screening devices
and should forward any positive samples to authorities for more sensitive
and specialized confirmatory testing. The results of these assays should not
be used to make decisions about patient management or prophylaxis. The
utility and validity of these assays are unknown.
At this time, CDC does not have enough scientific data to recommend the use
of these assays. The analytical sensitivity of these assays is limited by
the technology, and data provided by manufacturers indicate that a minimum
of 10,000 spores is required to generate a positive signal. This number of
spores would suggest a heavy contamination of the area (sample). Therefore
a negative result does not rule out a lower level of contamination. Data
collected from field use also indicate specificity problems with some of
these assays. Some positive results have been obtained with spores of the
non-anthrax Bacillus bacteria that may be found in the environment.
For these reasons, CDC has been asked to evaluate the sensitivity and
specificity of the commercially available rapid, hand-held assays for B.
anthracis. When this study is completed, results will be made available.
Conclusions from this study are not expected in the near future.
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