Abstract
Clearance sampling following a biological terror incident potentially necessitates samples being collected from surfaces recently treated with decontaminant. The impact of residual decontaminant co-collected with surviving biologicals is currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess whether residues remaining on non-porous surfaces following decontamination impact estimates of surface contamination. Two experimental approaches were used to determine if agent viability within wetted wipe samples (post-collection) is affected by the presence of pH-adjusted bleach residues, and therefore impacts the quantitative determination of Bacillus spore recovery. Results indicated that following sample storage (22°C, overnight) that determined number of colony forming units (CFU) were not statistically different for positive controls and samples containing dry decontaminant residue. These data are necessary for interpretation of post-bioterror or other contamination incident sampling results, and support current use of wetted wipes in non-porous surface sampling protocols for clearance following liquid decontamination activities.
Highlights
Since the Anthrax attacks of 2001, there has been an increased awareness of bioterrorism and of the capabilities necessary to recover rapidly from such incidents
Recoveries from wipes wetted with neutralizing buffer were significantly lower than those wetted with phosphate buffered saline with 0.05% Tween 20 (PBST) or sterile distilled water (SDW) (ANOVA, p ≤ 0.001), for both positive control and test samples
An often overlooked factor that may influence sample viability and recovery from post-decontamination samples is the presence of decontaminant residues on the surfaces sampled
Summary
Since the Anthrax attacks of 2001, there has been an increased awareness of bioterrorism and of the capabilities necessary to recover rapidly from such incidents. Environmental sampling methods are used to characterize the spatial extent and magnitude of contamination, and verify that decontamination procedures were successful [1,2]. To reduce the risk of post-incident exposures, it is important that decisions regarding building clearance be based upon robust sampling and analysis procedures that are validated and well-characterized [3,4]. Others have investigated the effects of storage conditions on bioterror sample integrity [12]. Evaluation of sample storage and transport methods, under conditions realistic of real-world scenarios, is necessary to determine method performance, overall recovery efficiencies, and to demonstrate sample integrity [13,14]
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