Schwerpunkte

The BNITM houses the National Reference Center for Tropical Infectious Pathogens (NRC), appointed by the Robert Koch Institute on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health.

The NRC develops special diagnostic procedures for typical tropical and unusual pathogens and provides highly specialized serological, molecular biological, microscopic and cell culture-based diagnostics. Here, fine typing of pathogens and special investigations to clarify epidemiological relationships are also carried out. The NRZ is actively involved in surveillance projects and outbreak investigations.

The NCZ offers the following laboratory services:

• Serological evidence of acute, chronic or past infections (ELISA, IHA, IFAT, immunoblot)

• Direct detection of pathogens in body fluids and excretions, biopsies, tissue sections or tissue blocks (microscopic and molecular-biological detection methods, special virological and rickettsiological cultivation methods) In the case of special diagnostic requirements, a telephone consultation with the laboratory is recommended. For differential diagnoses, as precise information as possible on the country of origin, travel route, symptoms, concomitant diseases, previous findings, etc. is required. Please use the laboratory diagnostics return slip. Please note the information on sending medical samples.

In the case of special diagnostic requirements, a telephone consultation with the laboratory is recommended. For differential diagnoses, as precise information as possible on the country of origin, travel route, symptoms, concomitant diseases, previous findings, etc. is required. Please use the laboratory examination orders (only in German). Please note the information on sending medical samples.

The NRC also advises the public health service, laboratories, resident doctors, clinics and research institutes on questions of diagnostics of tropical infections, in particular on examination procedures and material transport as well as on the evaluation of serological, molecular biological and microscopic findings.

Erregernachweis im Gewebe

The National Reference Centre for Tropical Pathogens offers molecular biological methods for the detection of infectious agents in tissues.

In addition to the detection of viruses and bacteria by PCR according to our examination orders, molecular biological investigations can also be carried out in the field of parasitology (protozoa, helminths, pentastomids and arthropod larvae) after microscopy and morphological classification. The comparison of parasite sequences with a database often also provides information on the geographical region of infection.

Materials that can be examined - also in combination - are

• Native biopsies, e.g. mixed with a little isotonic solution to prevent desiccation, for staining and parasitological microscopy and/or for DNA/RNA detection by PCR.
• Fixed biopsies or tissue blocks in paraffin. Microscopy after cutting with the microtome and staining (standard [H&E] and special stains [Giemsa, PAS, silvering, etc.]) as well as DNA/RNA detection by PCR.
• Paraffin block rasps (10 µm thick) for PCR
• Extracted DNA/RNA for PCR
• Unstained slides on microscope slides for PCR
• Stained slides for microscopic parasitological examination

Genotyping of Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis and Taenia solium can also be performed.

Please use our examination orders (only in German) and be sure to read the information on sample shipment.