NCCLS eNews - 9 September 2004 (Plain Text Version)Return to Graphical Version | Search back issues | Print all articles In this issue: SARS: How Do NCCLS References Help the Healthcare Community Respond?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness, now determined to be caused by a coronavirus called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). SARS appears to have originated in Guangdong Province, China, during the fall of 2002, and was first reported in Asia in February 2003. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), SARS affected more than 8,000 people in dozens of countries worldwide and claimed 774 lives from November 2002 through July 2003. During the outbreak, identification of the origin of SARS became critical, because the disease was spreading rapidly to healthcare workers in hospitals, requiring facilities to close and overwhelming healthcare systems. As a result of immense worldwide collaboration efforts, the pathogenic agent, SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV), was identified quickly. The collaboration to identify the agent included a multitude of laboratories within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with WHO and other partners. CDC Plays a Key Role in the Global Effort to Respond to SARS Outbreak
Regarding travel, CDC has refined the levels of travel notifications about disease occurrences on its website. In addition, CDC has been working with air carriers and shipping lines in a voluntary program to strengthen safeguards against biological threats. The organization conducts drills with airlines, airport officials, public health agencies, and emergency medical crews to practice attending to an infected passenger on an airliner or ship. By law, any ill passenger or crew member must be reported to a quarantine official for assessment and care. NCCLS Documents and Best Practices Focus on Detection and Safety The CDC reports that several laboratory tests have been identified to detect SARS-CoV. A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test can detect SARS-CoV in clinical specimens such as blood, stool, and nasal secretions. Serologic testing also can be performed to detect SARS-CoV antibodies produced after infection. Finally, viral culture has been used to detect SARS-CoV. In the library of NCCLS references, several documents provide best practices for the detection of pathogenic microorganisms and hard-to-detect viruses such as SARS-CoV. In addition, NCCLS provides general guidelines to follow to ensure the safety and protection of workers in the laboratory. Specifications for Immunological Testing for Infectious Disease (I/LA18) addresses specimen collection, handling, and storage, as well as performance criteria for the comparison of immunological test kits and specifications for reference materials. The document addresses the generic problems of preparation and characterization of antigens and antibodies, testing using these reagents, and understanding the results. Quantitative Molecular Methods for Infectious Diseases (MM6) provides guidance for the development and use of quantitative molecular methods, such as nucleic acid probes and nucleic acid amplification techniques of the target sequences specific to particular microorganisms. Protection of Laboratory Workers from Occupationally Acquired Infections (M29) is intended to be a practical tool for laboratory and healthcare workers. It promotes the essence of good laboratory practice to protect workers from infectious diseases encountered in the workplace. A few of the many laboratory practices that reduce the risk of infection include: standard precautions, safety devices, personal protective equipment, and appropriate decontamination and disposal of biological hazards. The working group currently revising the document will include laboratory precautions for performing diagnostic tests on specimens that may contain SARS. Viral Culture (M41) addresses several critical elements that must be considered in devising a viral culture procedure. These include specimen selection, preparation and inoculation; cell culture selection; pre- and postinoculation cell culture assessment, maintenance and quality control; identification of isolates; and reporting and interpretation of test results, including information regarding potential limitations of the procedure. This document does include information regarding the potential for the inadvertent isolation of agents (e.g., SARS, poxviruses) that are not appropriate for the BSL-2 setting. For the latest information from CDC about the current SARS situation, complete details on the recommendations and guidelines for public health and healthcare officials to respond, and travel health notifications, visit www.cdc.gov/sars/. For more information about NCCLS references and best practices, visit www.nccls.org. For more information or to contact us directly, please visit www.nccls.org l ©2004 NCCLS |