DESCRIPTION
This workshop will educate participants on molecular laboratory testing methods, primarily multiplex PCR, for the detection of Legionella spp. from clinical specimens to advance public health laboratories’ ability to detect and respond to Legionella outbreaks. This workshop will include lectures, hands-on laboratory exercises, group discussions and interactive sessions. Molecular methods for detection and identification of Legionella will be discussed and compared. Emphasis will be placed on troubleshooting common result interpretation issues and other technical challenges laboratories face when working with Legionella spp.
AUDIENCE
This intermediate-level workshop is intended for public health laboratory scientists performing Legionella diagnostic testing from clinical specimens. Participants must have intermediate experience with general molecular detection methods but are not required to have prior experience with Legionella spp.
OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of the program, the participant will be able to:
- Describe clinical aspects of Legionnaires’ disease
- Demonstrate proper setup and analysis of Legionella multiplex PCR in clinical specimens
- Explain common technical challenges and potential troubleshooting solutions for the detection and identification of Legionella spp. for different laboratory methods
- Discuss benefits and drawbacks of example Legionella testing algorithms
- Describe how environmental test results can be used in conjunction with clinical results to support outbreak investigations
FACULTY
State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa, Coralville, IA
- Jeff Benfer, MS, molecular/virology supervisor
- Ryan Jepson, MS, environmental microbiology manager
- Mike Pentella, PhD, director
- Valerie Reeb, PhD, assistant research scientist
- Anna Yakos, clinical lab technical specialist
Division of Bacterial Diseases (DBD), National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) CDC, Atlanta, GA
- Sarah Dayman, microbiologist
- Melisa Willby, PhD, Legionella laboratory lead
Invited Faculty
- Kelly Jones, reference bacteriology unit manager, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Seth Blumerman, research scientist, New York State Department of Health-Wadsworth Center
ACCESSIBILITY
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals seeking special accommodations must email a request to Liz Toure at least three weeks prior to the workshop’s start date.
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