Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE)

Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of Shigella spp.

Isolate from urine, stool, blood, environmental, food, other.

Isolate provided on culture medium.

Send as growth on culture medium or in transport medium. Organisms should be sent as cultures.

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

Gastroenteritis, septicemia, infection, other.

Completed Enteric Diseases Program requisition form.

PulseNet International Standardized methods for Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis and analysis of PFGE patterns.

7 calendar days (Unless prior notification that the sample is urgent. Reporting may be delayed if PFGE not requested on initial submission and/or if confirmation of serology required.)

1. The International Subtyping Network for Foodborne Disease Surveillance. http://www.pulsenetinternational.org/
2. 2. PulseNet: The Molecular Subtyping Network for Foodborne Bacterial Disease Surveillance, United States. Bala Swaminathan et al. Emerging Infectious Diseases, Synopses, 2001; 7(3): 382-389.
3. Establishment of a Universal Size Standard Strain for Use with the PulseNet Standardized Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Protocols: Converting the National Databases to the New Size Standard. Susan B. Hunter, et al. J. Clin. Micro. 2005; 43(3): 1045-1050.
4. Building PulseNet International: An Interconnected System of Laboratory Networks to Facilitate Timely Public Health Recognition and Response to Foodborne Disease Outbreaks and Emerging Foodborne Diseases. Bala Swaminathan, Peter Gerner-Smidt, Lai-King Ng, Susanna Lukinmaa, Kai-Man Kam, Sharon Rolando, Enrique Pérez Gutiérrez, Norma Binsztein. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. Spring 2006, 3(1): 36-50.