Identification of biological threat agents in the environment and its challenge

A release of pathogenic microorganisms may result in infections either in humans or animals, in which the development of clinical symptoms may be the first alert of a biological incident. Rapid, reliable and efficient identification methods must, thus, be in place for both clinical and environmental samples containing biological threat agents, also for forensic purposes. This report provides an overview of detection and identification methods of biological threat agents in the environment with emphasis on air, as well as the challenges posed to sampling and sample processing that may have an impact on the identification analysis. The persistence of the released biological agents may vary between the agents, and must be addressed when performing the identification analysis. The Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) has focus on sampling, sampling processing and analysis of biological threat agents in the environment in which this work is based on the NATO Handbook for Sampling and Identification of Chemical and Biological Agents (SIBCA), also known as the AEP-10 document. FFI’s involvement in biological preparedness is outlined in the last section of this report. Civilian authorities, institutes and defence laboratories involved in national preparedness, response and analytical capabilities may act as reach-back facilities and support SIBCA missions when needed. The AEP-10 guideline distinguishes between provisional, confirmed and unambiguous identification. FFI is capable of both provisional and confirmed identification of selected biological threat agents per June 2008. An element in reducing the biological threat and improving biological preparedness is the capability in detecting biological threat agents prior to the development of clinical symptoms. Several detectors monitoring biological particles in air are commercially available or are currently at an R&D level. All biological detection and sampling equipment must be tested and evaluated in chamber and field trials prior to use in real-time situations. The lack of such trials will lead to commercialized unreliable equipment possessing an increased false alarm rate. National biological preparedness and response depend on a combined joint effort among military and civilian agencies, institutes and organizations, including detection and identification of biological threat agents of both clinical and environmental samples. Regardless of an intended or natural outbreak of a disease caused by biological threat agents, preparedness needs to be established prior to such an event. Post-preparedness planning may in some cases be too late.