The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) is pleased to announce that Errin Rider, Ph.D., D(ABMM), M(ASCP)^CM, has accepted the position of WSLH Associate Director of Clinical Testing. She will begin her new position on Sept. 1st.

Dr. Rider comes to the WSLH from the Riverside County Public Health Laboratory in California where she serves as Laboratory Director. Prior to that she served as Assistant Laboratory Director of the Louisiana Office of Public Health Laboratories from 2013-2018.

Dr. Rider earned a Bachelors in Science in Biology from San Diego State University followed by earning a Ph.D. in Virology from Harvard University. Following graduation, she was awarded a post-doctoral fellowship at the California Department of Public Health where she trained as a Lab Aspire Fellow in Clinical and Public Health Microbiology. She is a diplomat of the American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM) and also has national certification in Clinical Microbiology.

The Associate Director of Clinical Testing is a new position for the WSLH. Dr. Rider will serve as the College of American Pathologists (CAP/CLIA) Laboratory Director for the WSLH and will provide administrative leadership to all clinical testing at the WSLH, which includes Biochemical Genetics, Chemical Emergency Response, Communicable Diseases, Cytology, Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics, and Newborn Screening. This position will also be responsible for facilitating and overseeing, in collaboration with Division Technical Directors; lab wide quality assurance, safety (including biosafety), and other compliance processes at the WSLH, and serve as the primary WSLH administrative liaison to the Wisconsin Department of Human Services (DHS) and WSLH clinical and healthcare partners.

Legionellae are common contaminates of artificial water systems, including air-conditioning systems, cooling towers, and jacuzzis where conditions may be optimal for growth and proliferation. Once aerosolized, the bacteria can enter the human respiratory tract and cause disease manifesting as Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, or Pontiac fever, a self-limiting flu-like illness. Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, cough, nausea and diarrhea. Onset occurs between 2 and 10 days after exposure.

Health Departments reported nearly 10,000 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the US in 2018. However, because Legionnaires’ disease is likely underdiagnosed, this number may underestimate the true incidence. About one in 10 people who gets sick from Legionnaires’ disease will die.

Many labs use rapid urine antigen tests for L. pneumophila. However, this test is intended for the detection of serogroup 1(sg1) and may miss a diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease caused by other serogroups or other Legionella spp. The new WSLH assay allows simultaneous detection and differentiation of Legionella spp., Legionella pneumophila, and Legionella pneumophila sg1 from clinical specimens. The assay targets the ssrA (Legionella species) gene, the mip (L. pneumophila) gene, and the recently identified wzm gene, specific for L. pneumophila sg1. This protocol was adapted from a CDC protocol. It has been validated for use at the WSLH. It has not been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

More Information

Announcement Memo

Reference Manual listing

On July 2, 2020, Dr. Al Bateman, assistant director in the WSLH Communicable Disease Division, gave a SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Lab Update focusing on where we have been, where we are and where things might be heading. His talk included in-depth information on testing methodologies and the potential of whole-genome sequencing to help us know even more about the virus and its spread.

Watch it here: https://slhstream2.ad.slh.wisc.edu/Mediasite/Play/62927ee443d643a5aa0869e250a2e32b1d

 

At an online ceremony on June 26th, Noel Stanton received the Gold Standard Award for Laboratory Excellence from the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL).

This award is given to an APHL member that makes or has made significant contributions to the technical advancement of public health laboratory science and/or practice.

APHL lauded Stanton’s national reputation and leadership in blood lead testing and chemical emergency preparedness and response.

In 2019, Stanton served in a leadership role for CDC’s Laboratory Response Network for Chemical Threats (LRN-C). As coordinator of one of 10 Level 1 labs nationally, Stanton has provided key leadership at the biannual technical meetings, serving as the chair of the PT workgroup charged with assisting CDC program managers in resolving laboratory issues. His leadership skills are always evident, including his uncanny ability to articulate complex issues in a very diplomatic yet clear and decisive way. Continuing with his long-time association with the blood lead PT, Stanton oversees the LRN-C PT for blood metals (including lead), which serves the entire LRN-C Level 1 and 2 lab network. He has developed collaborative partnerships with a variety of Federal, State and local public health partners.

WSLH Emeritus Medical Director Dr. Stanley Inhorn received the Gold Standard Award for Laboratory Excellence Award in 2009, so Stanton is following in esteemed footsteps.

Awards ceremony short recap video – https://www.aphlblog.org/aphl-celebrates-2020-award-winners/

Full awards ceremony video – https://www.facebook.com/PublicHealthLabs/videos/591673228147072

The WSLH Forensic Toxicology lab and its work on opioids biosurveillance in the state and nationally is featured in the latest issue of the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) Lab Matters magazine.

From the article –

The forensic laboratory at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene is one of a handful of US forensic laboratories housed in a public health laboratory, rather than a law enforcement agency. The laboratory recently began to implement an opioid biosurveillance program, analyzing specimens from impaired drivers while also receiving reports of fatal overdoses from medical examiners.

“We consider ourselves the bookend,” (WSLH Forensic Toxicology Director Amy) Miles said. “I think the US has focused on one side of it or the other. It’s rare for us to have that continuous examination of opioids—or any other drug of abuse, for that matter.” Now, the US is playing “catch-up” to improve its knowledge of overdoses and their causes, she said.

 

 

On June 17^th, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced two COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) population-based surveillance programs – both featuring laboratory analysis by the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene.

 

Antibody Surveillance

The WSLH Communicable Disease Division will be performing antibody testing for the Past Antibody COVID-19 Community Survey (PACCS).

This study is being led by the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW) in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health and “…will determine the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies throughout the state. Antibodies indicate if a person has been infected with COVID-19 in the past, even if they did not experience symptoms. Antibody testing helps in understanding how many people were infected with COVID-19; it does not provide information regarding the current amount of positive cases and is not an alternative to diagnostic testing. Study participants will receive antibody testing quarterly over the course of the next year.”

 

Wastewater Surveillance

DHS also announced a statewide program for surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. Looking for COVID-19 virus in wastewater is being heralded as a potential way to identify emerging outbreaks in communities.

The surveillance study will provide for trend analysis and potential early detection of SARS-CoV-2 in communities across the state by monitoring viral RNA in influent streams and sludge at wastewater treatment facilities (WWTF). High frequency sampling will focus on the two largest WWTFs in each of the 21 most populace counties. Lower frequency sampling will take place at 80 additional WWTFs located in more rural WI.

The project will run for a period of one year, beginning June 1, 2020. The project is being led at the WSLH by a team of Environmental Health Division researchers – Dagmara Antkiewicz, Kayley Janssen, Martin Shafer and Jocelyn Hemming. They are collaborating with a researcher at UW-Milwaukee as well as DHS and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Here’s a selection of news stories about the announcement –

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2020/06/18/researchers-attack-covid-19-new-way-tracking-virus-sewage/3191077001/

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2020/06/17/wisconsin-coronavirus-wastewater-antibody-studies-track-prevalence/3206754001/

WI Public Radio

https://www.wpr.org/dhs-announces-studies-identify-communities-risk-covid-19-outbreaks

Wisconsin State Journal

https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/health-med-fit/2-4-positive-for-covid-19-antibodies-in-madison-area-as-broader-testing-begins/article_89dbdd6f-938e-51f7-a0e0-07680d496bc2.html

Please note the following changes to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene’s operations for the weekend of July 4th.

As always, if you have an off-hours emergency, please call the WSLH Emergency Pager at 608-263-3280.

 

In addition to continued COVID-19 virus testing in the Communicable Disease Division, the WSLH response to the pandemic has expanded to include surveillance for the virus in wastewater as well as helping the state and local communities decontaminate PPE.

 

Wastewater Surveillance

In late May, a team of WSLH Environmental Health Division researchers – Jocelyn Hemming, Dagmara Antkiewicz, Kayley Janssen and Martin Shafer- were successful in obtaining a $1.25 million dollar grant from the WI Department of Health Services (WDHS) to establish a statewide program for surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in wastewater.

Looking for COVID-19 virus in wastewater is being heralded as a potential way to identify emerging outbreaks in communities.

The surveillance network will provide for trend analysis and early detection of SARS-CoV-2 in communities across the state by monitoring viral RNA in influent streams and sludge at wastewater treatment facilities (POTWs). High frequency sampling will focus on the two largest POTWs in each of the 21 most populace counties. Lower frequency sampling will take place at 80 additional POTWs located in more rural Wisconsin.

The project will run for a period of one year, beginning June 1, 2020.

Researchers at the UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences led by Sandra McLellan will partner with the WSLH team to implement the study. The study team will work in close collaboration with the WDHS and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) in POTW recruitment, data interpretation and public messaging.

According to Kayley Janssen, the WSLH expects to test about 100 samples a week and that poses one of the project’s first challenges.

“Current methods for this type of testing are for much lower sample numbers,” she said.

In order to jump-start method development for the high-throughput testing, a combo Water Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology team successfully competed for a $10,000 UW/WARF COVID-19 Accelerator Challenge Grant to develop, optimize and implement a higher throughput method of concentration and isolation of SARS-CoV-2 from wastewater. Janssen and Dagmara Antkiewicz are co-PI’s on the grant.

“We want to tease apart what will work well with sensitivity,” Janssen explained.

 

WisCon Helps with PPE Decon and Inspection

One of the long-standing problems in the COVID-19 pandemic has been the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers and first responders, oftentimes requiring them to re-use their N95 respirator face masks. But in order to re-use them, the masks need to be decontaminated.

That’s where the occupational health and safety consultants in the WSLH WisCon Onsite Safety and Health Consultation Program have been providing a vital service to the state.

Building on UV light decontamination methods developed by Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, a strike team of three WisCon consultants – George Gruetzmacher, Robert Vercellino and Kelli Rush – have been working out of the State Emergency Operations Center assisting local communities in implementing PPE decontamination units and providing training.

The WisCon consultants have worked with local emergency management staff and first responders in Sawyer, Jackson and Marquette counties, as well as Lake Delton and several other Wisconsin communities.

In addition to onsite training in the communities, WisCon has created several training videos.

The second WisCon PPE effort focuses on staff going to State warehouses to inspect PPE to ensure suitability for intended use and provide feedback. A rotating team of WisCon consultants have fulfilled this mission including Kelsi Berlinghof, Terry Lawrin, Veronica Scott and Dan Trocke.

Here are some news articles about the WisCon efforts –

https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/kfd-decontamination-process-puts-kenosha-ahead-of-the-curve/article_10a43fcd-ff0a-59c7-8828-9a95210d5da6.html

https://www.apg-wi.com/sawyer_county_record/free/new-uv-decontamination-site-to-be-set-up-in-sawyer-county/article_57157a92-8e16-11ea-abcb-df9c840c048d.html

https://www.wiscnews.com/wisconsindellsevents/news/local/dells-lake-delton-emergency-management-unveils-new-decontamination-device-for-public-use/article_74b5b5be-0022-52f9-965d-f9b04120f7d9.html

The use and prevalence of lead has impacted societies for millennia. While we are well aware of the impacts of lead on modern public health, recent developments in archaeological science has painted a clearer picture of its impact in the past.

In this webinar WSLH Isotope Geochemist Sean Scott explains new research detailing the environmental and public health effects of lead in antiquity, specifically associated with its uses in the Roman Empire. Sean also discusses how environmental implications of past societies compare to similar challenges we face today in Wisconsin.

Webinar link – https://slhstream2.ad.slh.wisc.edu/Mediasite/Play/521689718baa46299303aa0c613fabb51d

 

Resources to learn more

Archaeometry – Elevated lead exposure in Roman occupants of Londinium: New evidence from the archaeological record

 

Online References

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/londinium-romans-blood-lead-levels-so-high-they-may-have-lowered-birth-rates/4010808.article

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-39366713

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roman_lead_pipe_ostia_antica_04.jpg

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=34&po=10)

https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/

 

Scientific Papers

Bollhofer A, Rosman KJR (2001) Lead isotopic ratios in European atmospheric aerosols. Phys Chem Earth Pt B 26:835-838 doi:Doi 10.1016/S1464-1909(01)00094-6

Alvarez-Fernandez, N., Cortizas, A.M., Lopez-Costas, O., 2020, Atmospheric mercury pollution deciphered through archaeological bones. Journal of Archaeological Science, 119, 105159

Delile, H., Blichert-Toft, J., Goiran, J. P., Keay, S., and Albarède, F., 2014, Lead in ancient Rome’s city waters, Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 111(18), 6594–9.

Diaz-Somoano M et al. (2009) Stable Lead Isotope Compositions In Selected Coals From Around The World And Implications For Present Day Aerosol Source Tracing. Environ Sci Technol 43:1078-1085 doi:10.1021/es801818r

Durali-Mueller, S., Brey, G. P., Wigg-Wolf, D., and Lahaye, Y., 2007, Roman lead mining in Germany: its origin and development through time deduced from lead isotope provenance studies. Journal of Archaeological Science, 34, 1555–67.

Flemming, D. E. B., Boulay, D., Richard, N. S., Robin, J.-P., Gordon, C. L., Webber, C. E., and Chettle, D. R., 1997, Accumulated body burden and endogenous release of lead in employees of a lead smelter, Environmental Health Perspectives, 105, 224–33.

Gilfillan, S. C., 1965, Lead poisoning and the fall of Rome, Journal of Occupational Medicine, 7, 53–60.

Hodge, A. T., 1981, Vitruvius, Lead Pipes and Lead Poisoning. American Journal of Archaeology, 85, 486–91.

Lopez-Costas, O., Kylander, M., Mattielli, N., Alvarez-Fernandez, N., Perez-Rodriguez, M., Mighall, T., Bindler, R., Cortizas, A.M. 2020. Human bones tell the story of atmospheric mercury and lead exposure at the edge of Roman World. Science of the Total Environment, 710:136319.

McConnell, J.R., Edwards, R., 2008, Coal burning leaves toxic heavy metal legacy in the Arctic. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 105, 12140-12144.

Montgomery, J., Evans, J. A., Powlesland, D., and Roberts, C. A., 2005, Continuity or colonization in Anglo-Saxon England? Isotope evidence for mobility, subsistence practice, and status at west Heslerton, American Journal of PhysicalAnthropology, 126, 123–38.

Montgomery, J., Evans, J. A., Chenery, S. R., Pashley, V., and Killgrove, K., 2010, ‘Gleaming, white, and deadly’: Usinglead to track human exposure and geographic origins in the Roman period in Britain, Journal of Roman Archaeology;Supplementary Series, 78, 199–226.

Nriagu, J. O., 1983, Lead and Lead poisoning in antiquity, Wiley, New York.

Patterson, C. C., Shirahata, H., and Ericson, J. E., 1987, Lead in ancient human bones and its relevance to historical developments of social problems with lead, The Science of the Total Environment, 61, 167–200.

Penney, S., and Shotter, D. C. A., 1996, An inscribed Roman salt-pan from Shavington, Cheshire, Britannia, 27,360–5.

Retief, F. P., and Cilliers, L., 2005, Lead poisoning in ancient Rome, Acta Theologica, 26, 147–64.

Scarborough, J., 1984, The myth of lead poisoning among the romans: An essay re-view, Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences, 39(4), 469–75.

Schwikowski, M., Barbante, C., Doering, T., Gaeggeler, H.W., Boutron, C., Shotterer, U., Tobler, L., Van de Velde, K., Ferrari, C., Cozzi, G., Rosman, K., Cescon, P., 2004, Post-17^th Century changes of European lead emissions, recorded in high-altitude alpine snow and ice. Environmental Science and Technology, 38, 957-964.

Shafer, M. M., Siker, M., Overdier, J. T., Ramsl, P. C., Teschler-Nicola, M., and Farrell, P. M., 2008, Enhanced methods for assessment of the trace element composition of Iron-age bone, Science of the Total Environment, 401,144–61.

Shaw, H., Montgomery, J., Redfern, R., Gowland, R., and Evans, J., 2016, Identifying migrants in Roman London usinglead and strontium stable isotopes, Journal of Archaeological Science, 66, 57–68.

Sherman LS, Blum JD, Dvonch JT, Gratz LE, Landis MS (2015) The use of Pb, Sr, and Hg isotopes in Great Lakes precipitation as a tool for pollution source attribution. Science of the Total Environment 502:362-374 doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.09.034

Shotyk, W., Weiss, D., Appleby, P. G., Cheburkin, A. K., Frei, R., Gloor, M., Kramers, J. D., Reese, S., and Van DerKnaap, W. O., 1998, History of atmospheric Lead deposition since 12,370 14C yr BP from a peat bog, Jura Mountains,Switzerland, Science, 281, 1635–40.

Smith KE, Shafer MM, Weiss D, Anderson HA, Gorski PR (2017) High-Precision (MC-ICPMS) Isotope Ratio Analysis Reveals Contrasting Sources of Elevated Blood Lead Levels of an Adult with Retained Bullet Fragments, and of His Child, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Biological trace element research 177:33-42 doi:10.1007/s12011-016-0872-3

Stacey, J.S., Kramers, J.D., 1974, Approximation of terrestrial lead isotope evolution by a two-stage model. Earth and Planetary Sciences Letters, 26, 207-221.

Tzaphlidou, M., and Zaichick, V., 2003, Calcium, phosphorous, calcium–phosphorous ratio in rib bone of healthyhumans, Biological Trace Element Research, 93, 63–74.

Waldron, H. A., Mackie, A., and Townshend, A., 1976, The lead content of some Romano-British bones, Archaeometry, 18, 221–7.

 

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene Director Jamie Schauer brings a unique vantage point to the COVID-19 response as both an internationally-recognized air pollution expert and as the leader of Wisconsin’s public health laboratory.

In an interview with the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering, Schauer – also a UW professor of civil and environmental engineering – reflects on the similarities and differences between infectious respiratory diseases and air pollution and how experts in each can help lead the way forward through the pandemic.

https://www.engr.wisc.edu/news/schauer-leads-covid-19-testing-efforts-at-wslh/