QUICKSCAN DICENTRIC CHROMOSOME ANALYSIS FOR RADIATION BIODOSIMETRY

• DOI: 10.1097/hp.0b013e3181aba9c7
• Publication Date: 2010-01-06T09:53:05Z
• Authors: F N. Flegal; Y Devantier; J P. McNamee; R C. Wilkins
• Keywords: Biodosimetry; Dicentric chromosome; Triage; Chromosome aberration; Mass Casualty

The dicentric chromosome assay (DCA) is the gold-standard for accurately estimating unknown radiological doses to individuals following or nuclear accidents. However in a mass-casualty scenario, this not well suited providing timely dose estimates due its time- and expertise-intensive nature. In Canada, two approaches are being developed an attempt increase triage-quality biological dosimetry throughput. These 1) increasing number of trained personnel capable conducting DCA, 2) evaluating alternative biodosimetry DCA variations. recent exercise, new scoring technique (termed QuickScan) was evaluated as rapid-scoring approach. Triage-quality conventional QuickScan analysis were based upon minimum 50 metaphase cells 30 dicentrics by 9–15 scorers across four laboratories. Dose found be within 0.5 Gy actual 83% samples, while 80% samples. Of falling more outside dose, majority over-estimates. It concluded that approach can provide critical information at much faster rate than without sacrificing accuracy. Future studies will further evaluate accuracy method.