World TB Day 2018 and Environmental Testing to Prevent Its Spread

World TB Day is recognized each year on March 24^th. The U.S. theme for World TB Day 2018 is “Wanted: Leaders for a TB Free United States. We can make history. End TB.” This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB).

Mycobacterium tuberculosis can be spread from a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat through the air from one person to another when they cough, sneeze, speak or sing. This occurs when people nearby breathe in the bacteria and then become infected. This is why the transmission of tuberculosis can be a significant risk in healthcare environments and other places where many people share the same space for extended periods of time.

Approximately one third of the world’s population is infected with the tuberculosis bacteria according to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, only a small proportion of those infected will become sick with TB. Most people who breathe in the bacteria and become infected have a strong enough immune system to fight it and stop it from growing in their bodies. When Mycobacterium tuberculosis lives in the body without making a person sick it is called latent TB infection.

“For those who do become sick, the bacteria usually attack the lungs, but it can attack any part of the body, such as the kidney, spine and brain,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “WHO reports that globally, TB is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide and 40% of HIV deaths were due to the disease as recently as 2016. Today, a growing threat to the international community is multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB).”

Working diligently to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis from environmental samples are the microbial experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc. Their laboratories utilize highly sensitive real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis from air samples collected on special filter cassettes to help prevent the spread of this deadly disease. EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video about World TB Day that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/tGRcFWs1TRk.

To learn more about microbial pathogen testing or other environmental and indoor air quality services, please visit www.EMSL.com, email  info@EMSL.com  or call (800) 220-3675.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with 43 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations.  In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail