Rhode Island State Health Laboratories

Biological Sciences
Speciality Areas

Bioterrorism Response and Special Pathogens:

• Performs diagnostic and confirmatory testing for suspected bacterial agents of bioterrorism in both clinical and environmental samples.
• Performs diagnostic, confirmatory, and drug susceptibility testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis as well as for other species of mycobacteria.
• Serves as a reference laboratory for hospital based and private microbiology laboratories within the state to assist in the identification of unusual bacterial isolates and blood parasites.
• Performs microbiological testing on specimens submitted by the Office of the State Medical Examiner to assist in determining cause of death.
• Supports the HEALTH epidemiology programs through diagnostic testing and confirmation of bacteria associated with diseases of public health significance such as meningitis and whooping cough.

Contact: Cindy Vanner, 222-5599

Molecular Biology/Enteric Pathogens:

• Conducts Pulse Field Gel Electrophoretic analysis of pathogenic microorganisms to determine “fingerprint” patterns in support of national and local infectious disease surveillance programs.
• Performs Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis to detect pathogenic organisms of public health significance and potential agents of bioterrorism.
• Performs DELFIA Time-Resolved Fluorescence analysis of toxins associated with agents of
  bioterrorism.
• Provides molecular biological methods support for
  other Biological Sciences Section laboratory units.
• Performs tests to detect pathogenic enteric bacteria in human specimens including Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli O157:H7 and others.
• Performs testing to detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the agent of the sexually transmitted disease Gonorrhea.
• Identifies pathogenic parasitic agents.
• Detects NoroVirus during outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease, employing Reverse Transcriptase PCR methods.
• Provides telediagnosis assistance to clinicians in conjunction with The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help diagnosis parasitic diseases.
• Performs fluorescent antibody testing to detect Rabies in wildlife and domestic mammals.
• Conducts surveillance testing for Influenza using cell culture and PCR methods.

Contact: Robert Ireland, Ph.D., 222-5598

Quality Assurance Office:

• Plans, directs and performs audit and consultative activities related to Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC) and internal and external proficiency testing programs.
• Applies statistical methods to identify quality assurance issues and evaluates the effects of remedial actions.
• Assesses needs to maintain compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Communicates with the community, professional organizations, and accrediting and certification agencies regarding issues of QA.
• Monitors and improves QA through changes in workplace policies and procedures.

Contact: Melissa Martin 222-5560

Food/Water Microbiology:

• Performs microbiological analysis on environmental samples such as water from Narragansett Bay to monitor pollution from sewage sources.
• Performs bioassays on shellfish to monitor marine waters for red tide toxin - the cause of paralytic shellfish poisoning.
• Conducts tests to assure the quality of food and water including the adherence to FDA standards and accurate representation of the product by the manufacturer or retailer.
• Analyzes food products associated with foodborne disease outbreaks for pathogenic bacteria
• Maintains capacity to conduct microbiological tests for potential microbial agents of bioterrorism in the food supply.

Contact:  Kerry Patterson, 222-5588

Serology:

• Performs serological tests to detect new and emergent bacterial and viral diseases such as West Nile virus, Hanta virus, and HIV
• Conducts surveillance testing for measles, mumps, and rubella.
• Performs nucleic acid amplification tests to diagnose sexually transmitted diseases.
• Performs serological tests on cattle and poultry specimens to assist the Department of Environmental Management in controlling the spread of infectious diseases in livestock.

• Employs cell culture, fluorescent antibody and PCR methods to detect Arboviruses such as West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis in mosquitoes and host animals such as livestock and birds.

Contact: (Acting Supervisor) Christoper Harmon, 222-5595