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Órgano oficial de difusión de la Federación Mexicana de Patología Clínica, AC y de la Asociación Latinoamericana de Patología Clínica/Medicina de Laboratorio

2001, Number 4

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Rev Mex Patol Clin Med Lab 2001; 48 (4)

The role of the clinical laboratory facing bioterrorism

Barriga AG, Giono CS

Language: Spanish
References: 23
Page: 194-202
PDF size: 128.25 Kb.


ABSTRACT

While the recent growing awareness of the threat of biological weapons affects all segments of the population, the impact on clinical laboratory is more direct. If a bioterrorist event occurred, the average clinical microbiology laboratory could be instrumental in helping to detect and identify the biological weapon that was used and in alerting authorities. Although Bacillus anthracis and smallpox have received a great deal of publicity as potential biological weapons, the term biological agent applies to a diverse group of microorganisms as well as toxins of microorganisms, plants and animals. This review will trace the origins of biological weapons and describe current perceptions of the threat proposed by the use of such weapons. And the perceived roles of clinical laboratories, the clinical and microbiological aspects of the agents though most likely to be used by bioterrorist will be described.


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