Misidentification of Risk Group 3/Security Sensitive Biological Agents by MALDI-TOF MS in Canada: November 2015-October 2017.

Background: Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a technology increasingly used in diagnostic identification of microorganisms. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that this technology is associated with misidentification of Risk Group 3 (RG3)/Security Sensitive Biological Agents (SSBA) resulting in exposure risks to laboratory personnel.

Objective: To investigate and characterize incidents related to the use of MALDI-TOF MS in Canada between November 6, 2015, and October 10, 2017.

Surveillance of laboratory exposures to human pathogens and toxins: Canada 2017.

Background: Under Canada's and , the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is mandated with monitoring laboratory incident notifications through the Laboratory Incident Notification Canada (LINC) surveillance system. The year 2017 marks the second complete year of data.

Objective: To describe the laboratory exposure and laboratory-acquired infection incidents that occurred in Canada in 2017 by sector, human pathogens and toxins involved, number of affected persons, incident type and root causes.