Human Genetic Variation Alters Anthrax Toxin Sensitivity
Martchenko, Candille et al., PNAS
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine show that genetic variation affecting capillary morphogenesis gene 2, or CMG2, dramatically alters toxin sensitivity in humans. In its analysis, the team reports on "a CMG2 single-nucleotide polymorphism occurring frequently in African and European populations [that they found] independently altered toxin uptake." The group goes on to suggest "testing of genomically characterized human cell populations may offer a broadly useful strategy for elucidating effects of genetic variation on infectious disease susceptibility."
NH Hospital Faces Suit After 'Smearing' Lab Director Over Failed CAP Inspection
February 19, 2010
A hospital in Dover, NH, could soon be sued for defamation by an attorney representing its lab director after hospital administrators said a recent failed CAP inspection was the result of her incompetence, according to a local media report today.
The case is also backed by Wentworth-Douglass Hospital physicians, who say the lab director, Cheryl Moore, "is the victim of a deliberate smear campaign by hospital staff" following the CAP review, according to an article in Fosters.com, a local news outlet.
The accrediting agency placed the pathology lab on probation due to "lack of oversight," the article says.
Moore's lawyer, Charles Grau, told the paper that the CAP findings "do not reflect issues with Moore" but "resulted from the hospital's direct interference with Dr. Moore's oversight of the laboratory."
CAP has "insisted" that in order to emerge from probation the hospital must prove that it provides Moore with the "power and authority" needed to do the job, he told the paper.
According to the paper, Grau said "the hospital has provided 'false and malicious' statements toward Moore."
In a letter to the hospital's attorney, Grau states that "[t]hrough its statements in these various fora and media, the hospital administration has systemically misrepresented and distorted the findings of the CAP Report and thereby defamed Dr. Moore. Contrary to these statements, nothing in the CAP Report holds Dr. Moore responsible for the cited lack of supervision."
The paper also reports that a letter that WDH CEO and President Gregory Walker sent to hospital staff said that "CAP placed the hospital pathology lab on probation 'citing a failure on the part of Pathologist Dr. Cheryl Moore, the Laboratory Director, to provide proper oversight of laboratory practices,' and he said WDH is 'seeking additional information about specific deficiencies on the part of Dr. Moore.'"
Hospital spokeperson Noreen Biehl said CAP did not make any findings related to quality of services, according to the article.
According to Moore, "[t]he hospital basically usurped my authority."
"Unless hospital personnel immediately cease and desist from making such statements and correct and retract those they already have made, they and the hospital will face legal action," Grau wrote, according to the article.
According to the paper, CAP launched its investigation "after the complaint by the two pathologists," and the decision "was based on the lab's 'failure to demonstrate compliance' with a standard that requires the lab director to assume 'professional, scientific, consultative, organizational, administrative and educational responsibilities for the services provided.'"
"The Accreditation Committee is especially concerned about the documentation submitted both by the Laboratory Director and Senior Vice President of Operations indicating a lack of oversight by the Laboratory Director involving laboratory practices," the CAP committee chair wrote, according to the paper.
The lab "will remain on probation until the committee determines the conditions have been met, and most labs correct the issues and return to full accreditation," according to Denise Driscoll, CAP's accreditation and regulatory affairs director, the article states.