Gram-positive Rod Surveillance for Early Anthrax Detection

Authors :: Elizabeth M. Begier
Nancy L. Barrett
Patricia A. Mshar
David G. Johnson
James L. Hadler
Source :: Emerging Infectious Diseases, Vol 11, Iss 9, Pp 1483-1486 (2005)
Publication Year :: 2005
Publisher :: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005.
Abstract: Connecticut established telephone-based gram-positive rod (GPR) reporting primarily to detect inhalational anthrax cases more quickly. From March to December 2003, annualized incidence of blood isolates was 21.3/100,000 persons; reports included 293 Corynebacterium spp., 193 Bacillus spp., 73 Clostridium spp., 26 Lactobacillus spp., and 49 other genera. Around-the-clock GPR reporting has described GPR epidemiology and enhanced rapid communication with clinical laboratories.