Most strain typing in our laboratory is performed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), currently the gold standard for all but a few nosocomial pathogens. PFGE results can be expected within 5 to 7 business days of receipt of pure, viable organisms. Other techniques may take longer. The cost is approximately $75 per isolate. Your results will be in the form of a report containing a description of the isolates submitted, a picture of the gel and an interpretation of the results based upon your stated epidemiologic question. See PFGE Methods for interpretation guidelines and Sample Report. The staff of the Molecular Epidemiology Lab can be reached at (410) 955-2642 Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. to discuss requests and results. The Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control Department is also available for consultation regarding your results, management of outbreaks, interventions and strategies for surveillance or environmental culturing. They can be reached at (410) 955-8384. Please notify us by phone, FAX or e-mail so that we may know when to expect your isolates. They should be sent in federally approved packaging for infectious substances to the following address: Phone: (410) 955-2642
FAX: (410) 614-8087
e-mail: tross@jhmi.edu Division of Microbiology
Molecular Epidemiology Lab
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Meyer Bldg, Room B1-108
600 N. Wolfe Street Baltimore, MD 21287
Attn: Tracy Ross or Susan Harrington Call the lab for an order form. Please include a separate list of package contents. Include specimen number and collection date for each isolate. It is desirable to include one or more controls in the collection. Control isolates should be from sources epidemiologically unrelated to outbreak cases. The test method should be able to discriminate the control strains from isolates epidemiologically and genetically related to one another through the outbreak. The more epidemiologic information we receive the better is our ability to interpret your results. A space is provided on the order form for you to formulate the specific question you are trying to answer with the submision of the isolates. Unless indicated otherwise, isolates will be placed on the gel in chronological order. Specify the name and address to which the results should be mailed and a billing address. CLICK HERE for the Microbiology Specimen - Specific Collection Guidelines 6/2004 | 
