Florida Bureau of Public Health laboratories

C. diphtheria

Diphtheria testing utilizes culture, MALDI-TOF, and 16S RNA gene DNA sequencing to identify the organism.

Analyte(s)

Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Test Code

2300

Testing Location

Jacksonville Laboratory

Testing Department

Microbiology

Pre-approval Required?

Yes,
Requires prior approval from epidemiology. Contact the local county health department (CHD) to start the process for approval.

Required Forms

BPHL Test Requisition, DH1847
(not needed if orders are placed by electronic order)

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Supply Ordering

Supplies may be requested from your servicing laboratory. Supplies ordered from the BPHL should only be used for specimen sent to the BPHL for testing.

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Turn Around time

7 – 28 business days after receipt at the laboratory

Minimum Volume

Swabs in at least 1 mL

Collection Media

Sterile transport system. Specimens of the throat or oropharynx (OP) received on swabs in a sterile cotton top tube OR

Nutrient agar slant or in appropriate culture transport media

Specimen Sources

Throat or oropharynx swab (Deep throat specimen and/or piece of membrane if present).

Isolates

Specimen Labeling

Specimen must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers, e.g., name and DOB.

Information on the specimen must match the requisition and/or test order. 

Special SPecimen Preparation

Both clinical specimens and isolates accepted.

Storage Conditions

Store specimens at 15 – 30o C until time of shipment. Specimens must arrive at the laboratory within 48 hours of collection.

Packaging and Shipping

Specimens should be shipped at 15 – 30o C to arrive at the laboratory within 48 hours of collection, on appropriate transport medium.

Include paperwork with specimens but separate them physically by placing the paperwork in the outer pocket of the biohazard bag.

unsatisfactory specimen

1) Specimens received greater than 48 hours after collection
2) No patient identification on specimen tube
3) Patient identifiers on the specimen do not match the requisition or test order
4) Specimen damaged or leaked in transit
5) Quantity not sufficient

Interferences and Limitations

Non-viable, mixed cultures may not yield reportable results

Reference Range

Negative: No pathogen detected

Result Indicator

Positive: Isolation and identification of C. diphtheriae

Negative: No pathogen detected

Reference lab

CDC

Reflex testing

Whole genome sequencing (WGS)