National Microbiology Laboratory's Guide to Service

The Reference Diagnostic for Molecular Detection by PCR has been updated.

Reference Diagnostic: Molecular Detection by PCR
Infection: Infant pneumonia
Pathogen: Ureaplasma parvum
Laboratory: Streptococcus and STI Unit
Test Category: Molecular Detection
Specimen: Urethral/Urogenital swab, vaginal swab, rectal swab, urine. Nasopharygeal aspirate, throat swab or bronchioalveolar lavage may be accepted only with accompanying clinical findings supporting potential respiratory infection such as with neonatal respiratory infection.

The Reference Diagnostic for Molecular Detection by PCR has been updated.

Reference Diagnostic: Molecular Detection by PCR
Infection: Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU)
Pathogen: Ureaplasma urealyticum
Laboratory: Streptococcus and STI Unit
Test Category: Molecular Detection
Specimen: Urethral/Urogenital swab, vaginal swab, rectal swab, urine. Nasopharygeal aspirate, throat swab or bronchioalveolar lavage may be accepted only with accompanying clinical findings supporting potential respiratory infection such as with neonatal respiratory infection.

The Reference Diagnostic for Molecular Detection by PCR has been updated.

Reference Diagnostic: Molecular Detection by PCR
Infection: Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU)
Pathogen: Mycoplasma genitalium
Laboratory: Streptococcus and STI Unit
Test Category: Molecular Detection
Specimen: Urethral/Urogenital swab, vaginal swab, rectal swab, urine. Nasopharygeal aspirate, throat swab or bronchioalveolar lavage may be accepted only with accompanying clinical findings supporting potential respiratory infection such as with neonatal respiratory infection.

The Reference Diagnostic for Molecular Detection by PCR has been updated.

Reference Diagnostic: Molecular Detection by PCR
Infection: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Pathogen: Mycoplasma hominis
Laboratory: Streptococcus and STI Unit
Test Category: Molecular Detection
Specimen: Urethral/Urogenital swab, vaginal swab, rectal swab, urine. Nasopharygeal aspirate, throat swab or bronchioalveolar lavage may be accepted only with accompanying clinical findings supporting potential respiratory infection such as with neonatal respiratory infection.

The Reference Diagnostic for Molecular Detection by PCR has been updated.

Reference Diagnostic: Molecular Detection by PCR
Infection: Various
Pathogen: Mycoplasma spp.
Laboratory: Streptococcus and STI Unit
Test Category: Molecular Detection
Specimen: Swab, sputum, nasopharyngeal aspirate, urine, wound aspirate, CSF, or any other fluid appropriate to the affected area of suspicion. At least 1 mL of fluid sample is required for testing, or at least 1 mL of specimen such as swab samples re-suspended in appropriate transport medium. It is preferable if all samples are supplied in screw-capped tubes made of freeze-thaw and shatter-resistant plastic. Dry swabs are not acceptable for testing; any swabs sent must be supplied in appropriate storage medium.

The Reference Diagnostic for Molecular Detection by PCR has been updated.

Reference Diagnostic: Molecular Detection by PCR
Infection: Atypical pneumonia
Pathogen: Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Laboratory: Streptococcus and STI Unit
Test Category: Molecular Detection
Specimen: Bronchioalveolar lavage, nasopharygeal aspirate, or throat swab. Sputum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and tissue samples may also be tested but are not ideal. Dry swabs are not acceptable for testing; any swabs sent must be supplied in appropriate storage medium. At least 1 mL of fluid sample is required for testing, and it is preferable if all samples are supplied in screw-capped tubes made of freeze-thaw and shatter-resistant plastic.

The Reference Diagnostic for Molecular Detection by PCR has been updated.

Reference Diagnostic: Molecular Detection by PCR
Infection: Chancroid
Pathogen: Haemophilus ducreyi
Laboratory: Streptococcus and STI Unit
Test Category: Molecular Detection
Specimen: The specimen of choice for the diagnosis of chancroid is a swab that has been taken from the base of the genital ulcer. A bubo aspirate is also a suitable specimen. Use Dacron or cotton swabs to obtain specimens from ulcers. This is best collected by cleansing the area by flushing with sterile physiological saline, and then collecting material from the base of the ulcer using a Dacron or cotton swab. A bubo aspirate is obtained using needle and syringe to aspirate pustular material from the bubo through normal issue. Swabs can shipped dry OR in 1 ml Universal Transport Medium (Copan International). Bubo aspirates should be placed in a sterile tube and shipped frozen. Store swabs frozen until shipped for testing.

The Reference Diagnostic for Molecular Detection by PCR has been updated.

Reference Diagnostic: Molecular Detection by PCR
Infection: Atypical pneumonia
Pathogen: Chlamydophila pneumoniae
Laboratory: Streptococcus and STI Unit
Test Category: Molecular Detection
Specimen: Bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL) or lung biopsy. We may also perform testing on nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA), sputum, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) however please note that these specimens are not ideal for testing. Dry swabs are not acceptable for testing; any swabs sent must be supplied in appropriate storage medium. At least 1 mL of fluid sample is required for testing, and it is preferable if all samples are supplied in screw-capped tubes made of freeze-thaw and shatter-resistant plastic.

The Reference Diagnostic for Molecular Detection by PCR has been updated.

Reference Diagnostic: Molecular Detection by PCR
Infection: Respiratory psittacosis
Pathogen: Chlamydophila psittaci
Laboratory: Streptococcus and STI Unit
Test Category: Molecular Detection
Specimen: Bronchioalveolar lavage, nasopharygeal aspirate, or throat swab. Sputum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples may also be tested but are not ideal. Please note that all culture specimen or specimen with a high risk of aerosolization WILL NOT be accepted, as these specimen are categorized and handled as CL3 organisms. Dry swabs are not acceptable for testing; any swabs sent must be supplied in appropriate storage medium. At least 1 mL of fluid sample is required for testing, and it is preferable if all samples are supplied in screw-capped tubes made of freeze-thaw and shatter-resistant plastic.

The Reference Diagnostic for Plasmid Profiling has been updated.

Reference Diagnostic: Plasmid Profiling
Infection: Gonorrhea
Pathogen: Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Laboratory: Streptococcus and STI Unit
Test Category: Phenotyping
Specimen: Pure culture.