August 30, 2016 SPADA Meeting Book

Diagnostics

• Why “if?”

• Proponents, in 1999, that EM and standard PCR techniques were sufficient for smallpox diagnostics

– As of 2002 – survey of EM capacity in state health departments reveals only 3-8 with skilled capability to any capability

– Newer technology: real time PCR

Diagnostics: Nucleic Acid Testing Real Time PCR Assays • Platform supported at Laboratory Response Network (LRN)

Hi h th h t • g roug pu • Sensitive/specific

– Sensitive to 1-50 genome copies – Historically lesion samples contained 10 4 -10 7 infectious virions Assays validated against authentic Variola virus genomic material – • Limitations: – time to get samples to reference labs