Microbiology
About Us
Microbiology is about looking for potential pathogenic microbes in humans. This includes bacteria, parasites and fungi. Our Clinical Microbiology Laboratory provides a wide range of services including sexual health screening, enteric pathogens, to multiple resistant organisms. We are also the national reference centre for Mycology, Anaerobes, and molecular typing of Mycobacteria.
Our Microbiologists provide advice about interpretation of microbiology results, treatment of infections and infection control issues. We also work in close liaison with the infectious disease clinicians and the Infection Control service at ADHB.
Our annual Antimicrobial Susceptibility Report can be viewed here.
Key contacts
- Clinical Head Dr Sally Roberts
- Clinical Microbiologist Dr Joshua Freeman
- Technical Head Maree Gillies
Quick links to key services
Anaerobic Organisms
The Anaerobic section is the national reference centre and receives anaerobes from hospital and community laboratories throughout New Zealand. Organisms are identified using a combination of phenotypic tests, commercial systems and 16SrRNA-sequence analysis.
Key contact
- Nadia Al Anbuky
- Anne Dervan (Acting)
Heart Valve Bank
The Heart Valve Bank supplies human heart valve tissue for cardiac surgery. This donated tissue is used for repair of congenital defects in new babies and small children. Heart valves are also needed for replacement of diseased heart valves in children and teenagers with rheumatic heart disease. About 60 human heart valves are needed each year and these can be stored for up to 5 years in a liquid nitrogen freezer.
For more information on heart valve and organ donation, please visit Organ Donation New Zealand
Key contact
Mycobacteriology
We offer rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) respiratory specimens by PCR. This can be done on smear positive specimens from patients suspected of having multi-drug resistant TB, or where there are public health or infection control concerns.
A TB antigen test is available for the rapid identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from positive cultures and we have a rapid DNA probe to identify M. avium-complex.
Susceptibility testing against first and second line anti-TB drugs is available, as well as susceptibility testing for rapid growing mycobacteria. Molecular resistance testing is also available.
Our laboratory provides molecular typing (MIRU) for all New Zealand M. tuberculosis strains.
Key contact
Mycology
We provide a National Reference service for identification of fungi and aerobic actinomycetes. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is provided when clinically appropriate.
This page has the downloadable Mycology Reference Laboratory isolate referral form.
Other specialised tests include:
- Fungal serology for cryptococcal latex antigen and aspergillus precipitins.
- Indirect fluorescent antibody staining for Pneumocystis carinii.
- Culture for Leishmania species and Acanthomoeba species.
A specimen collection service is provided on request.
An extensive culture collection is maintained and fungal cultures can be provided for teaching purposes.
Key contacts
Molecular Diagnostic
The Molecular Diagnostic section testing spans all areas of clinical microbiology. In house PCR tests have been established for the detection of Bartonella species and Rickettsia species. From clinical specimens we offer 16S rRNA sequence analysis of bacteria, 18S rRNA-sequence analysis of fungi and heat-shock protein 65 sequence and analysis for mycobacteria.
All M. tuberculosis isolates cultured in New Zealand are DNA fingerprinted (RFLP) and entered into a national database.
The detection of the mecA gene in staphylococcal isolates is performed on request.
Key contacts
Last Updated 12:16 08-11-2011