Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbant Assays for Identification of Biological Agents in Sample Unknowns: NATO SIBCA Exercise IV
Abstract
In January 2002, the NATO Panel VII Subgroup on Sampling and Identification of Biological and Chemical Agents (SIBCA) conducted the fourth international training exercise on identification of biological agents. Fourteen NATO/Partners for Peace national laboratories participated: Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany (two laboratories), Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The designated laboratory for Canada was Defence R&D Canada - Suffield (DRDC Suffield). Participant laboratories were sent six swabs. Participants were advised that samples would contain any one of the following gamma-irradiated organisms: Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Brucella melitensis, Francisella tularensis, Vibrio cholerae, Burkholderia mallei, Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus, vaccinia virus, Coxiella burnetii, or yellow fever virus. A number of immunologically-based technologies were used at DRDC Suffield for screening of sample unknowns, one of which was the enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Antigen capture ELISAs were developed for all 10 possible biological agents and were used to screen the samples and a heterologous agent panel included as a control for specificity. Five biological agent unknowns were identified by ELISA, three at the species level: B. melitensis, F. tularensis, and Y: pestis, and two at the genus level: Bacillus spp. One sample containing V cholerae produced a false negative reaction. A comparison of the ELISA results with the identity of organisms in SIBCA sample unknowns, as revealed by Dugway Proving Ground following the exercise, indicated correct identification of three of the samples, a partially correct identification of two samples, and an incorrect false negative for one sample.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA423945
Entities
People
- H. G. Thompson
- R. E. Fulton