Bacteriology

• Identifies bacteria referred from other agencies.

• Serotypes Salmonella, Shigella, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli.

• Provides bacteriological laboratory support for the epidemiological investigation of suspected foodborne disease outbreaks.

• Culture and identification of Neisseria gonorrhea (GC).

• Perform culture identification and PCR testing for Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough).

• Examines autopsy materials from the WV Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

• Performs culturing of stool samples for the isolation and identification of enteric pathogens associated with foodborne diseases including Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter jejuni, and Escherichia coli.  Other pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus are available upon special request.

• Refers unusual specimens to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta.

Refer to the Microbiology Specimen Collection page for complete instructions.

All specimens submitted to the Bacteriology or Enterics Unit for testing must be accompanied by a Microbiology Specimen Submission Test Request Form.

Stool Specimen Collection Instructions (Enterics)