Preparing for the Worst

         So, you have seen the photo from a D.Buzz buzz several days ago:

         The likelihood of encountering all those organisms simultaneously in a clinical setting is pretty low. At least, that is true in my region. It would require some bizarre (but well-coordinated) bioterrorist attacks.

         In the ten years I've worked as a microbiologist, I have only come across F. tularensis and some Brucella species. I never got to work with specimens with Y. pestis and the Burkholderia species that actually cause melioidosis. As far as I know, the laboratory I work at has never encountered anthrax in its entire existence.

         The results from the MALDI-TOF run you see are from a training session organized by the state government. The trainers used attenuated organisms as well as analogs resembling them. The idea is to help the laboratory staff to be familiar with potentially dangerous bacteria from patient samples with minimal risks.

         The training didn't just include handling of said organisms. That was the easy part for most personnel. It also showed us how to package and send them to the state lab through specialized couriers. I am glad I am not the guy transporting this type of material.

         The good news here is the diseases associated with those bacteria are treatable for the most part. With proper monitoring, even laboratory staff who accidentally exposed themselves could start on prophylaxis immediately to prevent an outbreak.

For further reading:

Anthrax
Plague
Tularemia
Melioidosis
Brucellosis

         I know the CDC has tainted its reputation in recent years. However, the information listed are still helpful for the curious.

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