National Reference Laboratory for Pertussis and Diphtheria
The laboratory is accredited to ČSN EN ISO 15189 as a public health laboratory by the Czech Accreditation Institute.
Head: Jana Zavadilová, M.Sc.
Description of the activities:
- Verifying the identification of strains of genus Bordetella and Corynebacterium referred to the NRL by microbiology laboratories, in particullar the identification of pertussis, B. parapertussis, C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans.
- Performing toxigenicity testing for strains of diphtheriae and C. ulcerans.
- Keeping records and maintaining the collection of strains of genus Bordetella and Corynebacterium for further analysis.
- Determining IgG-anti-PT, IgA anti-PT antibodies and diphtheria antitoxin antibodies.
- Performing detection of pertussis, B. parapertussis and B. holmesii from clinical material or isolated DNA by real-time PCR method.
- Conducting the surveillance of diphtheria and whooping cough in cooperation with the NIPH Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology.
- Cooperating with the NRL for antibiotics on testing and monitoring the susceptibility of C. diphtheriae, C. ulcerans and B. pertussis.
- Providing sampling for culture and PCR testing for pertussis and parapertussis.
- Providing expert opinions, reviews, lecturing, teaching, publishing and consulting activities.
- Providing methodological guidance to microbiology laboratories in the Czech Republic.
- Testing the performance of commercially available diagnostic products.
- Participating in the international external quality assessment schemes for the laboratory diagnosis of diphtheria and whooping cough.
- Participating in European research projects as part of ECDC activities.