Case Information

A standardized case report form containing questions on basic demographics, underlying conditions, vaccinations and risk factors for infection is completed on all identified cases. While some of the data of interest can be obtained from the microbiology laboratories, additional data that are essential for describing the population-based epidemiology of these diseases may not be available in many microbiology laboratories. Therefore, laboratory information is complemented by data collected from patient medical records which is obtained through the cooperation of on-site hospital personnel (e.g., Infection Control Practitioners) or through medical record review by county health department personnel or ABCs surveillance personnel. Surveillance areas regularly assess the completeness of information collected for each case. If any of the core variables are frequently incomplete, the data collection methods are revised to correct the problem.

Isolate Collection

Sterile site isolates are collected for each identified case of group A streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae when available. Some sites are collecting group B streptococcus isolates. Isolates are batched and sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), or the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for further testing and characterization.