Bacteriology at SHL

The State Hygienic Laboratory is CLIA accredited to perform reference bacteriology methods to isolate, identify and characterize pathogens. Testing supports CDC programs such as PulseNet, Laboratory Response Network, Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network and the National Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring System for Enteric Bacteria.

Testing Methods and Expertise

Testing methods and expertise include: 

• Confirmation of suspected agents of bioterrorism
• Culture of clinical specimens for Legionella
• Culture of stool specimens for fecal pathogens and confirmation of Shiga-toxing producing Escherichia coli (STEC) using PCR
• Culture, identification, and broth microdilution susceptibility testing of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales
• Carbepenemase-producing organisms (CPO) colonization screening
• Gonorrhea test-of-cure
• Identification of difficult to identify isolates by Matrix assisted laser desorption time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis and/or 16S Ribosomal rDNA sequencing
• Neisseria meningitidis identification and serotyping
• Whole-genome sequencing of gastrointestinal intestinal pathogens (Salmonella, STEC, Listeria) and other pathogens upon request

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