Microbiology
The RCPAQAP Microbiology discipline has been developed and evolved under the guidance of the RCPAQAP Microbiology Advisory Committee. Within this discipline, a Molecular Infectious Diseases sub-committee further guides the development of microbiology molecular diagnostics.
The last two decades have seen enormous change in Medical Microbiology. ‘New’ organisms (Helicobacter pylori, HIV, Hepatitis C virus) have been discovered and characterised. ‘New’ infectious diseases (AIDS, Lyme disease and Legionnaires’ disease) have been described. ‘Old’ infections (tuberculosis, malaria, and pertussis) have re-emerged as major threats and have become increasingly resistant to previously effective antibiotics (MRSA, Streptococcus pneumoniae, VRE).
Over this time, advances in technology and molecular medicine (automation, polymerase chain reaction) have added greatly to the Microbiologist’s diagnostic armamentarium. At the same time, Microbiology remains very much a ‘hands-on’ discipline. In many ways, it is an art as much as a science, and one in which an individual pathologist’s experience, judgment and interpretive skills are pivotal.
Clinical aspects involve control of outbreaks of infectious disease and dealing with the problems of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The Microbiology (UN3373) Programs Safety Data Sheet (SDS) can be accessed here.
The Molecular Infectious Diseases Programs Safety Data Sheet (SDS) can be accessed here.
The Parasitology Programs Safety Data Sheet (SDS) can be accessed here.
The Microbiology Gram Stain / Urine Microscopy and Urine Dipstick Programs Safety Data Sheet (SDS) can be accessed here.
Bacterial Serotyping
Catalogue Number
12010102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
4Cases/samples per survey
6Sample Type
Lyophilised sampleSample volume
1mLSchedule
February, April, July, OctoberMeasurand/Test
Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus species, Neisseria meningitidisStorage and Handling
On receipt of the samples, prompt processing is recommended. If not performing testing immediately, store the un-reconstituted vials at 2-8ºC and protect from direct light.Dangerous Goods (UN3373)
This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373Product details last updated on July 31, 2020
Bacteriology: Difficult/Blood Culture Isolates
Catalogue Number
12020102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
8Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
Lyophilised sampleSample volume
1mLSchedule
February, March, April, June, July, September, October, NovemberMeasurand/Test
Difficult/Blood Culture IsolatesStorage and Handling
On receipt of the samples, prompt processing is recommended. If not performing testing immediately, store the un-reconstituted vials at 2-8ºC and protect from direct light.Dangerous Goods (UN3373)
This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373Product details last updated on July 31, 2020
Bacteriology: Faecal Pathogens
Catalogue Number
12030102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
4Cases/samples per survey
2Sample Type
Lyophilised sampleSample volume
1mLSchedule
February, April, July, OctoberMeasurand/Test
Faecal PathogensStorage and Handling
On receipt of the samples, prompt processing is recommended. If not performing testing immediately, store the un-reconstituted vials at 2-8ºC and protect from direct light.Dangerous Goods (UN3373)
This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373Product details last updated on August 20, 2020
Bacteriology: Genital Swabs
Catalogue Number
12040102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
4Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
Lyophilised sampleSample volume
1mLSchedule
February, April, July, OctoberMeasurand/Test
Genital SwabsStorage and Handling
On receipt of the samples, prompt processing is recommended. If not performing testing immediately, store the un-reconstituted vials at 2-8ºC and protect from direct light.Dangerous Goods (UN3373)
This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373Product details last updated on August 20, 2020
Bacteriology: Mycobacteriology Acid Fast Smears
Catalogue Number
12050102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
4Cases/samples per survey
2Sample Type
Unstained smear on glass slideSample volume
n/aSchedule
February, April, July, OctoberMeasurand/Test
Mycobacteriology Acid Fast SmearsStorage and Handling
On receipt of the samples, prompt processing is recommended. Store slides at room temperature and protect from direct light.Dangerous Goods (UN3373)
This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373Product details last updated on August 20, 2020
Bacteriology: Mycobacteriology Culture
Catalogue Number
12060102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
4Cases/samples per survey
2Sample Type
Lyophilised sampleSample volume
1mLSchedule
February, April, July, OctoberMeasurand/Test
Mycobacteriology CultureStorage and Handling
On receipt of the samples, prompt processing is recommended. If not performing testing immediately, store the un-reconstituted vials at 2-8ºC and protect from direct light.Dangerous Goods (UN3373)
This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373Product details last updated on August 20, 2020
Bacteriology: Nose/Throat Pathogens
Catalogue Number
12070102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
4Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
Lyophilised sampleSample volume
1mLSchedule
February, April, July, OctoberMeasurand/Test
Nose/Throat PathogensStorage and Handling
On receipt of the samples, prompt processing is recommended. If not performing testing immediately, store the un-reconstituted vials at 2-8ºC and protect from direct light.Dangerous Goods (UN3373)
This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373Product details last updated on August 20, 2020
Bacteriology: Respiratory Pathogens
Catalogue Number
12080102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
4Cases/samples per survey
2Sample Type
Lyophilised sampleSample volume
1mLSchedule
February, April, July, OctoberMeasurand/Test
Respiratory PathogensStorage and Handling
On receipt of the samples, prompt processing is recommended. If not performing testing immediately, store the un-reconstituted vials at 2-8ºC and protect from direct light.Dangerous Goods (UN3373)
This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373Product details last updated on August 20, 2020
Bacteriology: Skin/Eye/Ear Pathogens
Catalogue Number
12090102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
4Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
Lyophilised sampleSample volume
1mLSchedule
February, April, July, OctoberMeasurand/Test
Skin/Eye/Ear PathogensStorage and Handling
On receipt of the samples, prompt processing is recommended. If not performing testing immediately, store the un-reconstituted vials at 2-8ºC and protect from direct light.Dangerous Goods (UN3373)
This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373Product details last updated on August 20, 2020
Bacteriology: Urine
Catalogue Number
12100102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
4Cases/samples per survey
2Sample Type
Lyophilised sampleSample volume
1mL or 5mL optionSchedule
February, April, July, OctoberMeasurand/Test
Urine pathogensStorage and Handling
On receipt of the samples, prompt processing is recommended. If not performing testing immediately, store the un-reconstituted vials at 2-8ºC and protect from direct light.Dangerous Goods (UN3373)
This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373Product details last updated on August 20, 2020
Bacteriology: Wound Anaerobes
Catalogue Number
12110102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
4Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
Lyophilised sampleSample volume
1mLSchedule
February, April, July, OctoberMeasurand/Test
Wound AnaerobesStorage and Handling
On receipt of the samples, prompt processing is recommended. If not performing testing immediately, store the un-reconstituted vials at 2-8ºC and protect from direct light.Dangerous Goods (UN3373)
This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373Product details last updated on August 20, 2020
Clostridium difficile: Laboratory Detection
Catalogue Number
12120102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
2Cases/samples per survey
4Sample Type
Lyophilised sampleSample volume
2mLSchedule
July, NovemberMeasurand/Test
Detection of Clostridium difficile – culture, antigen and toxinStorage and Handling
On receipt of the samples, prompt processing is recommended. If not performing testing immediately, store the un-reconstituted vials at 2-8ºC and protect from direct light.Dangerous Goods (UN3373)
This survey material was packed in compliance with IATA PI.650 for Biological Substance Category B, UN 3373Product details last updated on August 19, 2020