KDHE Home - Laboratories - Diagnostic Microbiology

Diagnostic Microbiology Section


Robert Flahart Ph.D. Senior Laboratory Scientist
Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories
Telephone Number: 785-296-1636

Enteric Bacteriology

Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter, etc. culture and identification

Reference Bacteriology

Identification of unusual bacteria

Parasitology

Identification of intestinal and bloodborne parasites

TB Section

Culture and identification of tuberculosis and other mycobacterium

DNA fingerprinting

DNA subtyping of foodborne bacteria

Enviromental

Public Water Supply

Specimens sent to the Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory

Specimens are accepted from any health care provider, or county health department free of charge. Packaging and shipment of specimens should conform to the United States Postal Regulations for the shipment of clinical and hazardous material. Information can be found at: http://www.usps.com (Search for "Publication 52".)

Specimens for screening of enteric pathogens parasites, and tuberculosis can be sent to the laboratory by using collections kits provided by the laboratory or in commercially available collection kits. Specimen kits can be ordered by mailing or faxing an order form to the laboratory. Click here for the order form. Cultures for identification or confirmation should be sent on appropriate transport media.

What's New:

We are now offering polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Bordetella pertussis in nasopharyngeal specimens. This is a sensitive test procedure and will reduce both the false positive and negative results associated with the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test that we have been using."

  • The universal form is now the standard form for requesting diagnostic microbiology testing. It is important to remember that each form requires your provider code. Your provider code has been sent to your facility but if it is unavailable please contact the Sample and Data Management section @ 785-296-1654 to obtain it. The Universal Form is intended to be used to request tests for all of the clinical specimens collected during one patient visit. Separate forms must be used for specimens collected over multiple visits by the patient or for specimens collected on multiple days. In other words, while the same form can be used for different specimens you must use a separate form for specimens collected on different dates or if more than one of the same type of specimen and test is being sent. Please fill out both sides of the form, patient information on the front and test requests on the back. CLIA requires that the patient name (or unique identifier), date collected, provider identification, and test(s) requested appear on each requisition form. The other information on the form (patient's date of birth, gender, race, county of residence etc.) is used by public health programs to monitor disease incidence in Kansas. Note that if the patient's county of residence is not known then enter the county where you are located. Written reports on specimens with incomplete requisitions will be held until all the required information is obtained.
  • To reflect changes in CLIA and CDC reporting requirements Salmonella isolates will be reported in the following format:
    • Subspecies - based on the organisms biochemical reactions
    • O group - determined by the O antigen (cell surface)
    • Serotype - based upon the H antigen (flagella antigen)

      For example a Salmonella Typhimurium would now be reported

      • Salmonella subspecies I
      • Group B
      • Serotype Typhimurium