At a glance
Resources for laboratorians to detect and test for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance.
Laboratory Testing and Practices
Submit HAI Isolates and Specimens
Find instructions and resources for submitting specimens and isolates to CDC.
Candida auris
Resources for healthcare and laboratory personnel to aid in the identification of C. auris....
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
Clinical Testing and Diagnosis for CDI
There are four laboratory tests used to diagnose Clostridioides difficile infection or CDI. ...
Gram negative and positive bacteria
Unified PulsedField Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) Protocol for Gram Positive Bacteria
Unified PulsedField Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) Protocol for Gram Positive Bacteria
Duodenoscope sampling
Staphylococci
Laboratory Testing for Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Vancomycin resistance in s taphylococcus aureus (VRSA) is exceptionally rare.
Clinical laboratories serve an important role in the diagnosis of Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcu...
Laboratory Testing for Methicillin (oxacillin)-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Information about laboratory testing for MRSA.
Investigation and Control of Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA): 2015 Update
Investigation and Control of Vancomycin- Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA): 2015 Update
Other testing resources
Reference Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) Data
Access downloadable distributions of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for bacteria and fungi. ...
Laboratory Safety Publications
- CDC. Biosafety in microbiological and biomedical laboratories (BMBL).
- CDC. Interim laboratory biosafety guidance for extensively drug-resistant (XDR) mycobacterium tuberculosis strains
- World Health Organization (WHO); 2004. Laboratory biosafety manual
- World Health Organization (WHO); 2006. Biorisk management: laboratory biosecurity guidance
Additional Resources
- Baughman W, Farley M, Toomey K, et al. Laboratory capacity to detect antimicrobial resistance, 1998. MMWR 2000;48(51);1167–71.
- CDC. Staphylococcus aureus with Reduced Susceptibility to Vancomycin — United States, 1997. MMWR 1997;46(33).
- Defining the public health impact of drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. Appendix. Laboratory-based surveillance system. MMWR 1996;45(RR-1);15–20.
- E. coli O157:H7: Procedure for Isolation and Identification from Stool Specimens. MMWR 1994