Public Health and Environmental Laboratories performs 140,000 tests a year across a wide range of disciplines and including both culture and non-culture procedures:
- The Enteric and Foodborne Unit performs investigations of foodborne outbreaks, as well as routine identification of Salmonella, Shigella, E.coli O157, and Shiga-Toxin positive E.coli. Specimens are serotyped.
- The Pulsed Field Gel Unit performs molecular subtyping (DNA fingerprinting) of isolates forwarded by our Enteric Laboratory for incorporation in the CDC's Larger Database for outbreak detection. Currently the laboratory performs this testing on E.coli O157, Non O157 E.Coli and Salmonella. The Laboratory also maintains certification for the fingerprinting of Shigella.
- The Sanitary Bacteriology Unit analyzes potable and non-potable waters for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, State Parks and the Department of Consumer Health. The Laboratory also tests dairy products produced by New Jersey dairies.
- The Special Bacteriology Laboratory performs serotyping of Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitis from normally sterile body sites and fluids working in conjunction with the vaccine preventable disease program. The staff also read GC cultures and slides for malaria and babesia.
