Emerging Infectious Diseases

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Section

The PCR Section utilizes various PCR platforms to detect viruses and bacteria. Influenza virus, including the 2009 Pandemic influenza and Asian H5N1 influenza, Bordetella pertussis (B. pertussis), and Norovirus can be detected within a 48-hour time frame for public health response purposes. B. pertussis testing will be available January 2011. Norovirus testing is performed in outbreak situations only.

• PCR Form (1.2 MB)
• West Nile-Arboviral Form (5.5 MB)
• Flu Form (1.6 MB)

Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) Section

The PFGE Section is part of PulseNet, an international organization of laboratories that utilize PFGE to fingerprint the DNA of organisms causing foodborne outbreaks. The images created during analysis are compared to a database housed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and reported. Specimens are received internally from the Special Bacteriology Branch. This testing allows ADPH to identify whether patient samples are a part of a national foodborne outbreak, such as the spinach or peanut butter outbreaks.

See also, Bioterrorism and Special Bacteriology.