TYPE OF TEST

Detection of Clostridium botulinum toxin associated with food samples will be referred to CDC in Atlanta. 

SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS

15 cc serum, 25 gm fresh stool and suspect food leftovers if available

Provide patient’s age, date of onset, and symptoms  

SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS

Call WPHL to get instructions on how to collect and ship specimens.  Ship by overnight delivery on cold packs, not dry ice.

Ship directly from the submitter to:                                             

                             Botulism Lab

                                  Dr. Susan Maslanka

                                  CDC

                                  1600 Clifton Road

                                  Atlanta, GA  30333

Label outside of box:

MEDICAL EMERGENCY - CALL CDC ON ARRIVAL  404-639-2888

DAYS TEST PERFORMED

The samples will be processed with immediate urgency due to the nature of the toxin. 

RESULTS AVAILABLE

Upon completion CDC will notify WPHL of results

REPORTING & INTERPRETATION

Antitoxin is available through CDC Epidemiology and will be sent if there is a confirmed case of adult botulism.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In the event of suspect adult or infant botulism, notification should immediately be made to CDC Epidemiology and CDC Laboratory, as well as WDH’s State Epidemiologist.

If the event is after normal business hours, use the CDC pager number and notify CDC security if a specimen is being sent by Federal Express.

Notification

M-F  8:00 - 5:00 EST

CDC Epidemiology Dr. Tauxe  404-639-2888  (pronounced tokes)

CDC Laboratory     Dr. Susan Maslanka  404-639-0895

After hours

CDC Botulism Pager  404-571-1334

CDC Security  404-639-2888   (use for Fed Ex reference #)

WDH

Dr. Tracy Murphy 307-777-7716    pager 307-772-3743