Diagnostic Microbiology

• Bacteriology: Identification of unusual bacteria
• Mycobacteriology: Culture and identification of tuberculosis and other mycobacterium
• PulseNet: Outbreak detection of foodborne bacteria

Introduction

The mission of the Diagnostic Microbiology laboratory is to provide laboratory support to local health departments, clinics, hospitals, physicians, and units of Kansas government for the detection and identification of infectious bacterial diseases and parasites. These services assist in the medical treatment of Kansas residents and provide the state public health programs with disease incidence information to guide prevention and intervention efforts to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases within the state.

Analytical services provided by the Diagnostic Microbiology laboratory include confirmation of Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Shiga toxin-producing E coli (STEC), including E coli O157:H7. Vibrio cholerae and Yersinia enterocolitica identification is also available upon request. Gonorrhea identification is provided for culture isolates that were isolated from body sites for which the nucleic acid testing methods normally used are not approved. Laboratory testing for M. tuberculosis and other mycobacteria is provided to various health care providers in the state and includes identification of mycobacteria. Parasitology testing is performed for all intestinal parasites. Specimens for blood-borne parasites such as malaria are sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for analysis. In addition, PulseNet applications are utilized to characterize bacteria associated with foodborne outbreaks.

Universal Laboratory Specimen Submission Form Requests

Specimens for screening of enteric bacterial pathogens, parasites, and mycobacterium can be sent to the laboratory by using collections kits provided by the laboratory. Specimen kits can be ordered by mailing or faxing an order form to the customer service unit at the laboratory. View the Specimen Kit Request Form

Specimen Guidelines

For all human specimens submitted for microbiology testing, see the Diagnostic Microbiology Specimen Submission Guidelines (PDF) for specific collection, rejection, and transport guidelines. For human stool specimens submitted for gastrointestinal outbreaks, or work or daycare exclusion testing for STEC or Shigella, see Instructions for the Collection of Stool Specimens for Gastrointestinal Illness Testing (PDF).

Change Request Authorization Form

Please use the Change Request Authorization Form (PDF) for all demographic corrections, test additions, or other laboratory report modifications. The form must be signed, dated, and faxed to the Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories (KHEL) before any final changes will be made on all preliminary or final laboratory reports.

Laboratory Report Delivery Form

Please use the Laboratory Report Delivery Form (PDF) to update or add report recipient information for laboratory report delivery. The form must be signed, dated, and faxed to the Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories (KHEL) before any changes will be made to the current laboratory report delivery method.

Report Request Form

Please use the Report Request Form (PDF) to request additional copies of laboratory reports. One form is required for each patient. The form must be signed, dated, and faxed to the Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories (KHEL) before any changes will be made to the current laboratory report delivery method.