The Reference Bacteriology Unit identifies unusual pathogenic bacteria of public health importance including agents of bioterrorism and perfoms antibiotic susceptibility testing on emerging pathogens.


Sandip Shah, MS, MT(ASCP), Unit Manager
517-335-9638
shahs@michigan.gov

TESTING PERFORMED WITHIN THIS UNIT:

The following is a listing of tests performed in the Reference Bacteriology Unit of the Michigan Department of Community Health, Bureau of Laboratories.

• Aerobic Bacteriology - Identification of aerobic, microaerophilic and facultatively anaerobic bactera of clinical, epidemiologic or public health significance including agents of bioterrorism.  Only pure culture isolates are accepted.  Clinical material may be submitted if an atypical, unusual, difficult to grow or an extremely hazardous bacterium is suspected.
  
• Anaerobic Bacteriology - Identification of strict anaerobic bacteria.  Isolates may be submitted from clinical materials or from other sources such as outbreaks of public health significance.
  
• Legionella cultures - Isolation, identification and/or confirmation of Legionella species from appropriate human clinical specimens.  Sputum samples are not accepted.  Culture isolates may be sent for confirmation and serological typing.  Environmental specimens are accepted with prior approval to support outbreak investigations.
  
• Bordetella pertussis - Pertussis cultures are performed only by special arrangement.  PCR is routinely performed on all specimens because it offers greater sensitivity compared to culture.  The appropriate specimen for PCR or culture is a nasopharyngeal swab in Regan-Lowe medium.  Specimens for PCR should be sent to MDCH immediately after collection.  If culture is requested, the specimen should be incubated in Regan-Lowe medium for 18-24 hours at 35 degrees C and then sent to MDCH in the most expeditious manner; specimen transport time should not exceed 24 hours.  Culture isolates are also accepted for identification.
• Environmental Testing - Environmental specimens are accepted with prior approval to support investigations related to epidemiological or potential bioterrorism events.
• Media Production - The Media Unit manufactures specialty microbiological media used by the Bureau of Laboratories.   
  

Rev. 3/05