Current Laboratory Methods for Biological Threat Agent Identification

The global proliferation of biological warfare technologies remains a significant threat to public health. The clinical laboratory has an important role in the national response to bioterrorism. Many of the biological threat agents that could be used in weapons of mass destruction, however, are unfamiliar to health care providers and medical technologists. Definitive identification of most agents requires an approach that integrates clinical observations, classical culture methods, immunodiagnostic assays, and nucleic acid analysis. This article presents analytical approaches that could be adapted by clinical laboratories and reference laboratories for identifying the most important biological threats.