Biothreat agents and pathology laboratories.
Pathologists and laboratory staff are likely to be among the first health care workers to be aware that a potential bioterrorism attack has occurred. To prepare for such an event, it is necessary to be familiar with 1) the characteristics of bioterrorism attacks versus natural disease outbreaks, 2) which pathogens are potential bioterrorism agents; 3) the types of lesions that each causes; 4) the microbiological characteristics of each agent; 5) the Laboratory Response Network and reporting requirements, and 6) what resources are available.
Nelson
Ann
A
Division of AIDS Pathology, Department of Environmental and Infectious Disease Sciences, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington DC, USA.
Wilson
Michael L
ML
D000881:Anthrax / Q000175:diagnosis; D023482:Bioterrorism; D001906:Botulism / Q000175:diagnosis; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D010337:Pathology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D010930:Plague / Q000175:diagnosis; D012899:Smallpox / Q000175:diagnosis; D014406:Tularemia / Q000175:diagnosis