Wet-Vacuum Sampler For Surface Biocontamination Detection

Higher efficiency collection of surface biocontamination with a novel wet-vacuum Microbial-VacT (M-Vac) system will improve speed and accuracy of pathogen detection. Field-portable systems will be designed and tested for practical coupling with RapidCulture Detection (RCD) for field screening of presumptive positives and confirmation with PCR or Solid Phase Laser Cytometry (SPLC). Phase I R&D demonstrated the superior ability of the M-Vac in collecting and delivering 0.3 to 1 log higher numbers ofsurface E. coli or B. anthracis-surrogates to detection systems. Phase I data and designs will form the basis for proposed Ph II R&D tasks to deliver more compact, robust, and a reduced weight prototype system to the Army for Phase III field testing.Three M-Vac models are proposed: the compact, CM-Vac-25 will allow concentration of collected liquid samples onto 25 mm filters for RCD and/or confirmation with PCR or SPLC; TM-Vac-25/47 models will allow rapid collection of multiple liquid samples in 50ml disposable test tubes. Coupling the collection system with field-screening technology will establish presumptive positives for rapid, preliminary field response strategies. Injection-mold plans for disposable M-Vac units, SOP and safety manuals, anddetection protocol recommendations will be developed for Phase III testing and commercialization efforts. The proposed systems will provide more accurate sample acquisition of environmental and food surfaces, thereby improving the accuracy of rapiddetection systems. Application of this system by military or civilian personnel will allow faster and more efficient counter activities against biological warfare and bioterrorist attacks, as well as routine health monitoring of biological surfacepathogens. Additional commercial applications will include the monitoring of biocontaminates in air supplies, on mail and medical facility surfaces, plus general sample collection of biofilms and crime scene evidence.