Use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for the differentiation of pathogens and viruses on substrates

In this work, the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to differentiate live pathogens and killed viruses on substrates is investigated. Live pathogens B. anthracis Sterne strain and F. tularensis live vaccine strain were interrogated as lawn and colonies on agar; dilutions on agar; and dilutions on glass slides, and it was found possible to differentiate among all samples. UV killed hantavirus strains were studied as dilutions on slides and it was also found possible to differentiate among strains. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in which LIBS has been used to differentiate virus samples. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America