CDC's Bacterial Meningitis Laboratory: What It Does

CDC's Bacterial Meningitis Laboratory focuses on two of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis in the United States: Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis. (Streptococcus pneumoniae, another cause, is handled by CDC's Streptococcus Laboratory.)

A CDC laboratorian prepares for testing by polymerase chain reaction. CDC.

Its work

• testing for surveillance, to confirm species and serotypes;
• sequencing to identify outbreaks;
• testing for antimicrobial resistance;
• supporting laboratory surveillance;
• helping state epidemiologists and laboratories respond to outbreaks;
• building laboratory capacity abroad;
• research on special topics.

Surveillance

The laboratory supports surveillance in three main ways:

• Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) — collecting laboratory information, specifically through the ABCs Isolate Bank;
• enhanced meningococcal disease surveillance — more detailed data on meningococcal disease in 50 states and 3 large jurisdictions;
• H. influenzae pediatric supplemental surveillance — data on isolates from children under 5 in 23 jurisdictions.

Laboratory information strengthens efforts to protect people from the serious illness these bacteria cause.

Diagnosing the diseases

Culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) each have advantages and disadvantages for diagnosing H. influenzae and meningococcal disease. Knowing the serotype or serogroup guides the public health response and helps identify outbreaks, and CDC publishes guidance on best practices.

A reference center

The laboratory is a well-recognized reference center for identifying and characterizing H. influenzae and N. meningitidis. It can help state and local public health laboratories:

• characterize isolates with features that matter for public health;
• quickly identify the serotype or serogroup during an outbreak;
• work out how isolates are related;
• develop and put in place laboratory procedures.

Because resources are limited, every request needs approval in advance, and molecular characterization is reserved for questions of pressing public health importance — an outbreak, for instance, where rapid serotyping and molecular typing have immediate value. Suspected outbreaks should be reported to state or local health departments.

The laboratory also helps laboratories in other countries build their skills and improve quality, and takes part in specialized research to inform prevention and control. CDC's Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases covers surveillance guidance and specimen collection and shipping for Hib and meningococcal disease.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "CDC's Bacterial Meningitis Laboratory."