2009-05-19
On behalf on Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control, our department has got the honour to carry the responsibility of national reference function for Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Neisseria meningitidis (meningococci = MC)
The reference function includes among other things to receive bacterial isolates for species diagnosis, determination of serogroup, antibiogram, type and subtype. Other characterisations are done upon request and/or when necessary.
Every isolate of MC, or a suspected MC, from a normal sterile site, is to be sent to the reference laboratory for characterisation. The Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control covers the costs.
Fluids that are normally sterile, like for an example cerebrospinal fluid, can be examined with PCR technique for identification of species, group, type, subtype and sensitivity for penicillin upon request from clinicians/microbiological laboratories.
Our reference laboratory welcomes discussions concerning microbiological and epidemiological facets around the meningococcal disease and meningococci.
Routines for answering:
First reply with serogroup and antibiogram is often distributed within two working days. The additional characteristics are normally ready within one month. This can be done faster when motivated.
Replies for PCR assays concerning species are normally ready within two working days.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococci = GC)
The reference laboratory receives isolates for confirming of species, antibiogram, serogroup/serovar designation. Further characterisation can be done upon request and/or when necessary.
Routines for answering:
The antibiogram and serovar are normally ready within two working days after receiving an isolate. Please note on the referral note if you want reply over the telephone, or in any other way. Please note number and name of receiver.
Additional general information concerning the reference laboratory
All received isolates are kept at the laboratory (frozen -70°C).
We gladly participate in research and development project as well as quality assurance systems within the field of Pathogenic Neisseria and provide reference strains for these purposes.
An annual laboratory report for MC as well as GC is produced.