Laboratory Procedures

A key objective is to maximise the potential for laboratory confirmation of the clinical diagnosis. Blood should be separated and sent as serum. Samples should not be tested at the receiving laboratory but must be sent immediately to the reference laboratory.

Risk Assessment

C. botulinum is a Containment Level 2 organism and normal laboratory precautions are sufficient to provide protection. Specimens can be handled on the open bench to prepare and package them for onward transportation to the reference laboratory.

Isolation and identification

Laboratory diagnosis is by detection and identification of neurotoxins from sera or other samples. Samples required for testing depend on the form of botulism suspected.

Confirmation

Confirmation is by detection of neurotoxin in patient body fluids, and/ or the isolation of C. botulinum from a patient with compatible illness.

Waste disposal

Waste should be disposed of according to local procedures for Laboratory Containment Level 2.

Reference Laboratory

All specimens should be sent directly to the reference laboratory. The sender's name and address should be clearly marked. The reference laboratory should be telephoned prior to sending to expect the sample. Samples should be forwarded urgently to:

Dr Kathie Grant
HPA Centre for Infections
Foodborne Pathogens Reference Unit
61 Colindale Avenue
London NW9 5EQ

Tel: (+44) 020 8327 6505
E-mail: kathie.grant@hpa.org.uk

Last reviewed: 11 June 2010