title: Inter- and intra-laboratory comparison of a multibiodosimetric approach to triage in a simulated, large scale radiation emergency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The European Union's Seventh Framework Programme-funded project 'Multi-disciplinary biodosimetric tools to manage high scale radiological casualties' (MULTIBIODOSE) has developed a multiparametric approach to radiation biodosimetry, with a particular emphasis on triage of large numbers of potentially exposed individuals following accidental exposures. In November 2012, an emergency exercise took place which tested the capabilities of the MULTIBIODOSE project partners. The exercise described here had a dual purpose: Intercomparison of (i) three biodosimetric assays, and (ii) the capabilities of the seven laboratories, with regards to provision of triage status for suspected radiation exposed individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three biological dosimetry tools - the dicentric, micronucleus and gamma-H2AX (the phosphorylated form of member X of histone H2A, in response to DNA double-strand breaks) foci assays - were tested, in addition to provision of the triage status results (low exposure: < 1 Gy; medium exposure: 1-2 Gy; high exposure: > 2 Gy) by the MULTIBIODOSE software. The exercise was run in two modes: An initial triage categorisation of samples (based on the first dose estimates for each assay received from each laboratory) followed by collation of the full set of estimated doses (all the results from all modes of each assay carried out by the participating laboratories) calculated using as many modes of operation as possible of the different assays developed during the project. Simulated acute whole body and partial body exposures were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the initial triage categorisation and the full comparison of assays and methods within and between laboratories are presented here.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data demonstrate that the MULTIBIODOSE approach of applying multiparametric tools to radiation emergencies is valid and effective.
authors.affiliation: Public Health England Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards , Chilton, Didcot, Oxon , UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ainsbury
authors.forename: Jenna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Al-Hafidh
authors.forename: Ainars
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bajinskis
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barnard
authors.forename: Joan Francesc
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Barquinero
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beinke
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: de Gelder
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gregoire
authors.forename: Alicja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jaworska
authors.forename: Carita
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lindholm
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: Jayne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moquet
authors.forename: Reetta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nylund
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Oestreicher
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roch-Lefévre
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rothkamm
authors.forename: Horst
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Romm
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Scherthan
authors.forename: Sylwester
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thierens
authors.forename: Charlot
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vandevoorde
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vral
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wojcik
mesh_terms: D006657:Histones / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D011874:Radiometry; D013997:Time Factors; D014218:Triage
chemical_list: C468783:H2AX protein, human; D006657:Histones