Laboratory Response Network

Laboratory Response Network (LRN) is a collaborative effort between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL). The LRN's purpose is to maintain an integrated network of state and local public health, federal, military, and international laboratories that can respond to bioterrorism, chemical terrorism, and other public health emergencies.

History

The LRN was established in 1999 by the Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, FBI, and APHL. The network was created in response to the increasing threat of bioterrorism following the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

Structure

The LRN comprises three types of laboratories: reference, confirmatory, and sentinel.

• Reference laboratories include state and local public health, military, international, veterinary, agriculture, and water and food testing labs. These labs can perform tests to detect and confirm the presence of threat agents.
• Confirmatory laboratories include more than 150 public health labs that can conduct rapid detection and identification of biological agents.
• Sentinel laboratories are hospital-based and can rule out suspected bioterrorism agents, forward specimens to reference labs, or confirm the presence of a select agent.

Role in Public Health

The LRN plays a critical role in public health by providing a structure for the rapid, local detection of biological threats. This allows for a quick response to public health emergencies, which can save lives and protect communities.

See also

• Bioterrorism
• Public Health Emergency Preparedness
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Association of Public Health Laboratories