Laboratory
ANTHRAX 

Agent Overview:			The causative agent of Anthrax is the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, a large, 
				aerobic gram-positive, spore-forming rod.

Lab Specimen Submittal:		Authorization for laboratory specimen submittal must be given by Dr. Jane 
				Getchell, Director, DPHL; Christina Pleasanton, Deputy Director, DPHL; or 
				Debra Rutledge, Bioterrorism Coordinator. 

Types of Specimens 		Clinical specimens for cultural and/or PCR: plasma, pleural fluid, transtrachael
Necessary for Testing:		aspirates, sputum, fresh tissue, or frozen tissue.  Cultures from clinical 	
				specimens should be performed by the sentinel laboratory whenever possible. 
				Whole blood (EDTA, purple-top tube) or serum (red/back top tube) may also 
				be submitted for PCR.  If whole blood or serum is submitted, a blood culture 
				bottle must be drawn to confirm the PCR result.

				Environmental testing for culture and/or PCR:  Use two dry Dacron swabs (not 
				cotton) to collect specimen and put in two separate sterile tubes (paper, powder, 
				bone, hair, soil, wipes).

Food Specimen: 			Attempt to collect at least 10 grams of food in leak-proof container.

				Grown organism for culture and/or PCR from sentinel laboratory: referred 
				organism on agar plate for rule-out testing or confirmation.

				Please reference the BT Specimen Collection Chart for more detailed 
				information. 

Packaging Instructions:		Environmental specimens must be double bagged and the outside of the bag 
				decontaminated (10% bleach).

				Grown organisms, food or clinical specimens must be in unbreakable double 
				containers and outside of container decontaminated (10%) bleach).

Receiving Specimens		Authorized specimens are accepted at the back of the building by the loading
at DPHL:			dock. Submitter must present ID and have proper forms completed.

Handling of Specimens:		Chain of custody procedures must be followed for environmental 	samples or 
				any samples, specimens, or materials that could be used as evidence in a 
				legal proceeding.  Clinical and food specimens should be kept at refrigerator 
				temperature (in a cooler, but not frozen) until delivered to the laboratory. Food 
				samples that were frozen when collected should be transported on dry ice to the 
				laboratory.  Isolates grown on agar plates and environmental samples may be 
				sent at room temperature until delivered to the laboratory.

Reporting Results:		Preliminary: A preliminary positive or negative test result is issued upon 	
				completion of PCR.  PCR may take 4 to 24 hours. All PCR results must be 
				confirmed by culture.

				Negative: Negative culture reports are issued after 48 hours.

				Positive: Positive culture reports may be issued as early as 48 hours after set up.
 
Contact Information: 		Jane Getchell, DrPH, Director, DPHL, 302-223-1520 (24/7 coverage). 



24/7 Emergency Contact Number:  1-888-295-5156
Revised: 05/2010