Diagnostic Testing
Question 1
What percentage of diagnostic laboratories tested for each enteric pathogen?
† Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.
Note: N represents the number of responding laboratories.
Pathogen Detection Method
Question 2
What type of test method was used initially to detect each pathogen?
‡ Traditional methods include culture for bacteria and microscopy for parasites. This category is not applicable to norovirus because all norovirus diagnostics are culture-independent.
** A CIDT is a non-traditional test, such as those that detect the presence of a specific antibody or antigen or the DNA of an organism.
Note: N represents the number of responding laboratories. Only laboratories reporting testing for the pathogen selected were asked this question.
Type of Culture-independent Diagnostic Test (CIDT)
Question 3
If a CIDT was used to detect a pathogen, what type was used?
†† Polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Note: N represents the number of responding laboratories. Only laboratories reporting use of a CIDT were asked this question.
An immunoassay test detects a specific protein present in a specimen using an antibody or antigen. A PCR test targets one or more genetic sequences. Laboratory developed tests (LDT) are developed and used by a single diagnostic laboratory.
Culture Following Detection by CIDT
Question 4
If a bacterial pathogen was detected using a CIDT, did the diagnostic laboratory attempt to culture the organism?
Note: N represents the number of responding laboratories. This question only applied to select bacterial pathogens.
Specimen Submission
Question 5
What types of specimens did diagnostic laboratories send to public health laboratories?
‡‡ Blood and cerebral spinal fluid asked only for Listeria.
Note: N represents the number of responding laboratories. This question only asked for bacterial pathogens.
Data last updated: 06/28/23