This document provides an overview of diagnostic testing in microbiology laboratories. It discusses basic microbiology principles like media and culture, direct and indirect testing methods, sterile vs. non-sterile body sites, sensitivity and specificity. It then walks through the process of handling a specimen from receipt to reporting results, including appropriate collection, transport, inoculation, isolation, identification and documentation. Finally, it discusses a case study of testing a blood sample and issues around laboratory staffing.

1. Diagnostic Testing in the Microbiology Laboratory Jane Wong Public Health Microbiologist September 30, 2003 [email_address]

17. Microbiological Culture Media

19. “Streaking a Plate”

22. Mixed Culture of Soil Organisms Containing Bacillus anthracis

24. Colonies of Bacteria in Pure Culture

25. Pure Culture of Francisella tularensis Colonies After 72 hours Growth

26. Pure Culture of Yersinia pestis Colonies on Blood Agar After 48 hours of Growth

27. Yersinia pestis Colonial Morphology Viewed With Transmitted Light

29. Gram Stain of Streptococcus sp.

30. Yersinia pestis Gram stain

31. Gram stain of Brucella sp.

32. B. anthracis Gram stain showing spores

33. Gram stain of B. anthracis from broth culture

34. Examples of Biochemical Tests Left: API 50 Test Above: Antimicrobial Sensitivity Test

35. Yersinia pestis E-Test (Antimicrobial Sensitivity Test)

36. Nitrate and Urea Reactions

37. Reactions on MacConkey Agar

38. Triple Sugar Iron (TSI) Test

45. Bacillus anthracis India Ink Preparation

46. Growth on a Blood Agar Plate (Petri Dish) After 18-24 Hours

47. Gram stain of B. anthracis from broth culture

48. Motility B. anthracis is non-motile. Other Bacillus species are motile.

54. Licensing Applications/Year For Clinical Laboratory Scientist Certification