General Microbiology

The General Microbiology Section provides essential screening, diagnostic, and reference testing for rabies, bacterial and parasitic diseases to support outbreak investigations and public health surveillance. Molecular sub-typing of some bacterial pathogens is also performed. This is accomplished by:

• Testing for tuberculosis, rabies, food-borne diseases (eg, botulism and other food poisoning), plague, diphtheria, whooping cough, gonorrhea, salmonellosis, shigellosis, E. coli O157, other diarrheal diseases, giardiasis, amoebic dysentery, cryptosporidosis, and other intestinal parasitic diseases.
• Conducting bacteriologic monitoring of surface, waste, and drinking water to support local health department programs and other state agencies.
• Compiling testing data for applied research and disease monitoring.
• Providing technical assistance and consultation to clinical laboratories, local health departments, and other agencies.
• Providing testing to support public health programs and activities undertaken by local health departments and other agencies.

The General Microbiology Section tests approximately 8,500 clinical specimens and 4,000 water samples per year.

Resources

For more information on the availability of particular tests, please consult the Quick Reference (.pdf) (88K), which is arranged alphabetically, and was updated on March 23, 2004.

Bioterrorism Response and Preparedness Information is available from the Acute and Communicable Disease Program with links to related sites.

GM Tests includes information on how to submit specimens for testing.

Access theOrdering Forms and Kits page for information on requesting collection kits and forms, or go directly to the Stockroom Order Form (.pdf) (21K).

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