DefIDYerspesti

Plague, yersinia pestis

G-27A

Culture Identification for Yersinia pestis

Must notify BioThreat Team prior to sample submission: (512) 689-5537

N/A

N/A

Non-human (Bacterial), Human, Environmental

Pure culture isolates, sputum, whole blood, fluids/aspirates, tissue, and swab.  Non-clinical specimens: soil, water, grass, water dacron swab, air filter, food, paper, letter, powder, animal (tissue, blood, bone, skin), dried organic matter (hair or wood)

1 ml for fluids, 50 g for food, 1 inch square for paper or letter, 1 agar slant or plate for culture

Culture isolates ambient, other samples 2-8°C (cold)

Do not send swabs on transport medium.  Do not send tissues in formalin.

Human

• At least 2 patient specific identifiers: First and last name as one identifier and a DOB or a unique patient specific identifier (e.g. medical record number).
• Specimen identification must match submission form.

Non-Human or Environmental

• Sample identification must match submission form.

• Ship according to Dangerous Good Regulations, IATA, and/or CFR 49.
• Handled as infectious agent using universal precautions. 
• Triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for infectious agents.
• See also Emergency Preparedness resources online.
• Notify BioThreat Team prior to sample submission: (512) 689-5537.

Conventional biochemical methods

Preliminary results 1 day after receipt, final results 1 - 21 days

Use Dacron or rayon swabs for sample collection, cotton swabs interfere with PCR.  Improper storage or shipping temperatures may limit organism recovery.

Insufficient quantity, unacceptable specimen type or source, improper shipping conditions, expired media or collection container, discrepancies between specimen label and submission form, and/or incomplete or missing submission form

Will be paired with PCR: Yersinia pestis.