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Confused about this part: "Additional testing of the variola samples is under way to determine if the material in the vials is viable (i.e., can grow in tissue
by geuis 12y ago
Confused about this part:
"Additional testing of the variola samples is under way to determine if the material in the vials is viable (i.e., can grow in tissue culture). This testing could take up to 2 weeks. After completion of this testing, the samples will be destroyed."
Why not just destroy the samples outright? What's the reason for incubating a live sample and then destroying it?
- aroch 12y agoOn discovery (or receipt) of a select agent you always, always, test for viability. There are a few reasons, a few that rank high on the list: they want to know how long smallpox can survive in inappropriate storage (too hot, freeze/thaw, etc); they want to genotype and phenotype this sample for records in case it shows up else where; viable, unpassaged smallpox is rare.
- geuis 12y agoMakes sense. Also, I just realized, is if it's viable was there any opportunity for exposure.