DPDx Training

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Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK) Investigation
CDC is participating in a multi-agency investigation due to a report by the Illinois Department of Health that an increase in Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) cases in their state was being investigated. AK is a severe infection of the cornea that is rare among contact lens users. In January 2007, CDC initiated a retrospective survey of 22 ophthalmology centers nationwide to assess whether cases of AK had been increasing in the United States over the past eight years. Preliminary analysis of the data collected (as of May 24, 2007) indicated a strong association between the development of people with AK in soft contact lens wearers and the use of AMO Complete® MoisturePlus™ multipurpose cleaning solution. The manufacturer has undertaken a voluntary recall of the product. For more information about the investigation, please click here.

CDC's Division of Parasitic Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory offers assistance to state health departments for confirmatory diagnosis of AK (culture, microscopy, IFA, and PCR testing). Specimens should be submitted to CDC by eye care providers through their state health department.

Malaria Microscopy Reference Slides Available Through MR4
Microscopy reference slides sets on malaria are available through the Malaria Research and Reference Reagent Resource Center on a loan-only basis. For more information on how to qualify to receive a loaned slide set, please see MR4's website http://www.mr4.org/ under "Microscopy Slides."

Continuing Education Courses Available Online
DPDx, in conjunction with the Public Health Training Network, is pleased to offer continuing education courses for laboratory professionals. Two course are now available online. "Selection of Laboratory Regimens for Confirmation of Intestinal Parasites" covers guidelines on the collection and preservation of fecal specimens for parasitology testing and the selection of standard and specialized techniques for parasitology laboratory diagnostics. "Laboratory Diagnosis of Infections Caused by Coccidian Parasites," covers identification of Cyclospora, Cryptosporidium, and Isospora. Please click here to find out more about our CEUs.

DPDx Monthly Case Studies and Archive
DPDx offers a monthly Parasitology Case Study Quiz by email. The purpose of this service is to provide distance training on morphologic diagnostic parasitology to professionals engaged in identifying parasites associated with human disease. On the third week of each month, two case studies are sent to subscribers via email as well as posted on the Monthly Case Studies page of the DPDx website. Within a week, subscribers should send their answers to DPDx at dpdx@cdc.gov in order to have a valid participation in this CDC training activity. The correct answers to the case studies are released the following week; they are sent by email as well as posted on the DPDx website. Feel free to contact the DPDx Team (dpdx@cdc.gov) if you have any questions regarding the DPDx Monthly Case Studies.

To join this mailing list, please send us your name, business affiliation and address, including phone number and email address. If you would like to be removed from the DPDx Monthly Case Studies mailing list, please contact us. Type the words "Remove me" in the email subject line, along with your name and email address in the body of the letter.

CD Products
Please click here to see a listing and descriptions of our CD products.

References
Please click here to access our Parasitology Reference page that includes a bibliography of reference books and Web site links.