Francisella tularensis – Confirmation
Testing Indications
Submitting laboratories must contact Public Health Ontario laboratory Customer Service Centre by telephone prior to submission of the isolate.
Specimen Requirements
| Test Requested | Required Requisition(s) | Specimen Type | Minimum Volume | Collection Kit |
Francisella tularensis – Confirmation |
Pure viable subculture of organism on blood or Columbia agar plate |
N/A |
Most appropriate medium is blood or Columbia agar plate |
Submission and Collection Notes
Complete the Reference Bacteriology Requisition for identification and confirmation including:
- test Requested
- culture information (e.g. colonial and gram morphology, catalase and oxidase)
- clinical/epidemiology
- contact information
Preparation Prior to Transport
Label the specimen with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.
Special Instructions
Culture must be viable. Use a fresh subculture and ship in conditions to ensure viability on receipt.
Francisella tularensis must be handled in accordance with the Canadian Biosafety Standards and shipped in accordance with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)
Testing is performed daily Monday to Friday.
Turnaround time for test results is up to 8 days from receipt by PHO laboratory.
STAT and Critical Samples Testing
Urgent testing is available upon request by calling the Customer Service Centre 416-235-6556 or 1-877-604-4567.
Reporting
Results are reported to the ordering physician or health care provider as indicated on the requisition.
Specimens that are positive for Francisella tularensis are to be reported to the Medical Officer of Health as per Health Protection and Promotion Act.
F. tularensis is confirmed using real-time-PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) method.
MyPHO
Don’t have a MyPHO account? Register Now