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The Joint Biological Agent Identification and Diagnostic System (JBAIDS) Plague Detection Kit is a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kit intended for the qualitative in vitro diagnostic (IVD) detection of target DNA sequences of Yersinia pestis. The kit can be used to test human whole blood collected in sodium citrate or sputum collected aseptically from individuals greater than 18 years of age suspected of having septic or pneumonic plague. In addition, positive blood cultures and colonies may be tested. The JBAIDS Plague Target 2 assay is used as a supplementary test only after a positive result with the Target I Assay. The JBAIDS Plague Target 1 and Target 2 assays are run on the JBAIDS instrument using the Diagnostic Wizard. Results are for the presumptive identification of Y. pestis in conjunction with culture and other laboratory tests. The definitive identification of Y. pestis from colony growth, liquid blood culture growth, or from blood or sputum specimens requires additional testing and confirmation procedures in consultation with public health or other authorities for whom reports are required. The diagnosis of plague must be made based on history, signs, symptoms, exposure likelihood, and other laboratory evidence in addition to the identification of Y. pestis from cultures or directly from whole blood or sputum specimens. The JBAIDS Plague Detection Kit is intended for use by trained clinical laboratory personnel who have received specific training on the use of the JBAIDS Plague Detection Kit. The level of Y. pestis that would be present in blood or sputum from individuals with early systemic infection is unknown. Due to the difficulty in obtaining clinical specimens, these assays were not evaluated with blood or sputum from individuals with septic or pneumonic plague.

The Joint Biological Agent Identification and Diagnostic System (JBAIDS) Plague Detection System is a fully integrated IVD system composed of the portable JBAIDS instrument, laptop computer and software and the JBAIDS Plague Detection Kit with two different freeze-dried PCR assays for detection of Yersinia pestis DNA. The system has been validated using four different sample preparation kits for isolating DNA from wole blood (IT 1-2-3TM Platinum Path and QFLOWdana Sample Purification Kits), sputum (IT 1-2-3TM Platinum Path and IT 1-2-3TM VIBE), positive blood cultures (IT 1-2-3TM SWIPE Sample Purification Kit), and plate cultures (IT 1-2-3™ Platinum Path and SWIPE Sample Purification Kits). Use of the JBAIDS DNA Extraction Control Kit is also recommended. Prior to testing, specimens are processed using BioFire Diagnostic's IT 1-2-3 Sample Purification Kits. The resulting purified sample is added to Target 1 Unknown and Target 1 Inhibition Control vials, along with reconstitution buffer. Target 1 Positive Control and Negative Control vials are prepared using reconstitution buffer and water. When Y. pestis DNA is present, a fragment of Y. pestis DNA is amplified. The amplicon is detected by fluorescence using a specific hydrolysis probe. Each probe is labeled on one end with a fluorescent reporter moiety (6-carboxyfluorescein (6-FAM)) and elsewhere with a quencher moiety (carboxy tetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA)). When the probe is intact, the quencher absorbs the light emitted by the reporter moiety. During PCR, the probe hybridizes to the target sequence before the exonuclease activity of Taq polymerase hydrolyzes the probe, separating the fluorophore from the quencher and permitting detection of the fluorescent signal generated by the reporter. The fluorescent signal increases as additional templates are amplified and more probes are hydrolyzed. JBAIDS Software analyzes the fluorescence amplification curves and reports results as positive, negative, uncertain or inhibited. A failure of the Positive or Negative Control will result in the entire run being called invalid. Retesting is required to resolve uncertain, invalid or inhibited results. The Target 2 assay is used as a supplementary test only after a positive result is obtained with the Target 1 assay.