Laboratory safety practices associated with potential agents of biocrime or bioterrorism.

The anthrax incident of 2001 in the United States clearly documented the threat posed by the intentional release of an infectious agent in a susceptible population. It also demonstrated that clinicians and clinical microbiology laboratories are key to the early detection of disease, identification of the putative agent, and notification of appropriate authorities. To be effective in this role, laboratories must be prepared for a possible biocrime or bioterrorism event. Preparation requires that laboratories have an awareness of the potential agents that may be used, laboratory techniques for the early identification of these agents, procedures for the management of the event, and knowledge of the safety precautions necessary to safely handle these infectious agents (7). Once prepared, laboratory personnel must constantly be alert for the possible isolation of these agents during the routine manipulations of cultures at the bench (10). With the exception of smallpox virus and viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) agents, most of the biothreat agents are occasionally isolated from patients who have been naturally infected. To ensure a safe work environment, the laboratory must implement and strictly adhere to the routine safety practices that minimize risk to laboratory personnel (8, 9).