ABSTRACT
As invasion and amplification require viable pathogens, this chapter addresses methods for identifying the "viable" microbes, requiring lengthy tests. It discusses the airborne fungi which can invade and cause death. Swipe or bulk sampling may be performed of suspect dust, surface areas, and source material. These methods can be used for all forms of pathogenic microbes/toxins and the chapter describes Diagnostic Methodologies. The chapter also describes criteria levels that were developed by a laboratory that maintained a stringent quality assurance program, including in house proficiency testing of the laboratory personnel to insure accuracy and reproducibility. It discusses more prominent airborne pathogenic bacteria found within the United States, those posing the greatest concerns in the occupational and indoor air environments. As clinical laboratories infrequently care to become involved with environmental sampling for pathogens, environmental, microbial laboratories capable of performing most analyses may lack experience and/or the necessary equipment for identifying some of the less commonly requested pathogens.
