 |
 |
 |
Clinical specimens for the isolation of enteric microorganisms are accepted only from public health care providers. Fecal specimens are examined for the presence of enteric pathogens including Salmonella typhi, other Salmonella serotypes, Shigella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, Escherichia coli (E. coli) 0157 and other Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC). Specimens from contacts of patients culture-positive for communicable enteric pathogens are tested following recommendations in “Control of Communicable Diseases in Man”. Reference isolates are accepted from public and private health care providers for identification and/or serotyping. The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) is the state serotyping center for Salmonella, Shigella and E. coli 0157:H7 and participates in the national surveillance programs of the CDC.
Please Note: The North Carolina Communicable Disease Control rules (10A NCAC 41A.0209) state that laboratories culturing stool from a person with bloody diarrhea should culture for shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli or send the specimen to the N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health for shiga-toxin testing. Feces and other specimens associated with food-borne illness are screened for disease agents
Contact the Enteric Bacteriology Lab (919-807-8608) to discuss outbreak-related specimens, to coordinate specimen handling in unusual circumstances, or to consult prior to shipment of specimens.
Consultation and bench training are provided upon request.
See also: Organisms Required/Requested to be sent to the N.C. State Laboratory of Public Health
Updated: June 4, 2020