Haemophilus influenzae

Invasive species of Haemophilus influenzae are required to be sent to the IDOHL by the IDOH Communicable Disease Rule 410 IAC 1-2.5-76(f).

• “Invasive” defined in IDOH Communicable Disease Rule 410 IAC 1-2.5-46.

IDOH Reference Microbiology Laboratory will perform the identification/confirmation and serotyping to assess vaccine efficacy and to establish the Indiana prevalence baseline of each serotype. Currently, the only serotype with an available vaccine is Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib).

No cost associated with this testing.

1. Isolate should be pure, viable, and cultured onto an organism-appropriate agar medium slant.
   1. The IDOHL recommends using GC agar for effective transport and subculturing of isolates.
   2. Using a different medium for isolates may not allow for suitable growth upon reception at the IDOHL.
   3. Isolates that cannot be grown or are shown to be overly contaminated/mixed will be cancelled and require resubmission.
2. Isolates should only be from an invasive source (410 IAC 1-2.5-46).
3. Only one isolate per patient should be submitted.
4. Isolates should be sent in within three(3) days according to Indiana Communicable Disease Rule 410 IAC 1-2.5-76(f).
5. Isolates must also be received within a timely manner due to the potential of Haemophilus influenzae isolates to lose the ability to produce a capsule over time, reducing the accuracy of serotyping.
6. Temperature requirement: Ambient condition.

Appropriate agar medium slant in tube with screw-cap tightened or other similarly approved commercial transport medium. GC agar is the medium recommended by the IDOHL for shipping Haemophilus influenzae isolates.

Complete submission form on LimsNet and include a copy of the LimsNet coversheet with the sample.

• Isolates WILL NOT be accepted unless properly entered into LimsNet.
• Confirm the isolate container is appropriately labeled with suspected species, patient name, patient DOB, date of isolation and a unique identifier.
• Confirm the information on the container is identical to the information entered into LimsNet.
• Check expiration date of tube to ensure the product is acceptable and will continue to be acceptable once received at the IDOH Laboratory.

1. Ship to:
   Indiana Department of Health Laboratories
   Attention: Reference Microbiology
   550 West 16th Street, Suite B
   Indianapolis, IN 46202
2. Package according to Category B UN3373 triple contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for infectious substances/diagnostic specimens.
3. Tighten the specimen container tube caps.
4. Label each specimen tube with suspected species, patient name, patient DOB, date of isolation and a unique identifier.
5. Wrap each labeled, primary/specimen container tube with absorbent material. Place each primary container tube with absorbent material into the inner mailing container and tighten the cap securely.
6. Completed submission/request form may then be wrapped around the sealed inner container and together placed securely into the outer shipping container.
7. Clearly label the outer container with the sender's name/address and recipient's name/address.
8. Do not send culture isolates on petri plates if submitting by mail.
9. Transport Temperature: Ambient conditions.

Reporting Method: LimsNet and Fax.
TAT: Typically 3 to 7 business days.
Test Referral:  Isolates may be forwarded to the regional VPD laboratory or the CDC for additional testing.

• DO NOT send a liquid suspension culture of Haemophilus influenzae as the specimen will lose its ability to serotype accurately in only a few hours.
• Make sure all specimens are packaged appropriately. Sample containers that are broken will not be accepted and will need to be resubmitted.
• IDOH Title 410 Communicable Disease Rule may be viewed here.
• LimsNet submissions information may be viewed here.