Laboratory Personnel
ShareCompartir
Laboratory testing of specimens from suspect smallpox vaccine adverse events or smallpox cases takes place in reference level Laboratory Response Network (LRN) member laboratories and at CDC. Consultation with the state epidemiologist, state health laboratory, and CDC is necessary before sending specimens to CDC.
Follow the protocols for collecting, packaging, and shipping specimens to ensure specimen adequacy and adherence to transport guidelines.
Personal Protective Equipment Resources
Resources
Evaluating Patients for Smallpox: Acute, Generalized Vesicular or Pustular Rash Illness Protocol
Provides information to evaluate a patient with a rash illness. It includes evaluation protocol, risk evaluation, comparison of chickenpox (varicella) and smallpox, and comparison of common conditions.
Laboratory Approach to the Diagnosis of Smallpox
Online, self-guided training that includes a comprehensive overview of the Poxvirus family of viruses with emphasis on smallpox infection in humans. The training also contains instructions on specimen collection, packaging, shipping, and laboratory detection of orthopoxviruses.
Negative Staining Electron Microscope Protocol for Rash Illness
Protocol for using electron microscope visualization of negatively stained poxvirus virions to confirm poxvirus infections.
- Page last reviewed: December 1, 2016
- Page last updated: December 1, 2016
- Content source: