title: Current laboratory methods for biological threat agent identification.
abstract: The authors present an integrated approach for the identification of biological threat agents. The methods used have been used extensively in field exercises and during response to incidents of biological terrorism. A diagnostic system, which integrates the clinical diagnosis or medical intelligence with immunodiagnostic tests, rapid gene amplification assays, and standard culture, provides results of the highest quality and confidence. In the future, selected reagents and technologies will be distributed through a network of civilian and military laboratories.
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA. erik.henchal@det.amedd.army.mil
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Henchal
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Teska
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Ludwig
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Shoemaker
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Ezzell
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D023482:Bioterrorism; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014118:Toxins, Biological