Culturable Bacteria

Consistency is key to quality environmental assessments.  AssuredBio’s strict adherence to culture quality control ensures every bacteria sample is incubated under the same environmental parameters and every agar plate has the same nutrient profile.  Likewise, consistent culturing is mandatory when sampling a location repeatedly.  If this week’s growth media or environmental parameters differ from last weeks, so will the results.  Inconsistent results breed unreliable conclusions.

Best Uses

  • The primary concern is an infectious agent
  • Odd odors persist such as fruity, sour or putrid smells
  • Visible slime or biofilms are present
  • Prime sampling locations:  Air in occupied spaces, humidifiers, HVAC coils and condensate pan, water-damaged materials (wall coverings, carpet, furniture, etc)

Key Culturable Bacteria Facts

  • 24-48 hour Turnaround time
  • Robotic Handling and Advanced Image Analysis
  • Analysts Have Bachelor Degrees or Higher
  • Overnight Shipping to the Lab
  • Ph.D. Microbiologist on Staff
  • Free Phone Consultation with Results
  • Air Samples require outside control and must be shipped overnight on blue ice.
  • Air Samples require Nutrient agar plates (Link)
  • Does Not Include Species Identification

Interferences

  • Desiccation—excessive drying during collection may lead to loss of viability.
  • Environmental extremes—avoid excessive exposure to heat and direct sunlight.
  • Biocides and disinfectants—avoid collecting samples from areas recently treated with antimicrobials. 

Sample Collection Matrix

  • Air Sample via Agar Impact
  • Vacuumed dust sample
  • Swab from suspect surface

Downstream Assays

  • Gram Stain
  • Legionella
  • Genus Identification
  • Species Identification
  • Coliform Content Analysis

Pricing

$30.00 per analysis.
Call for volume pricing.

 
 
Bacteria Genus Identification

DNA SymbolAssuredBio uses state-of-the-art DNA technology to identify bacteria genera from any upstream analysis or pure culture of a bacterium submitted to the laboratory.  The testing process begins with a pure isolate from an upstream analysis such as culturable bacteria or coliforms.  From there, a laboratory analyst performs an extensive set of clean-up methods to ensure that only the purest DNA is used for sequence analysis.  Sequence analysis is used to decode the bacteria DNA and provide the raw genetic code that is used to derive genus identification.  We use a proprietary 2-D, or Dual Database, BLAST approach to ensure that our clients are provided with superior genus identification.  

Best Uses

  • When indoor air quality is directly impacting the health of occupants
  • An infectious agent is suspected
  • Whenever a project has the potential to go to litigation
  • In a health care facility, school or public building
  • When requested by a medical professional
  • When requested by a lawyer, property owner, or school plant manager

Key Facts

  • The two dominant genera are included from an upstream analysis
  • 5-7 day turnaround (once purified, total time depends on upstream analysis)
  • Robotic Handling and Advanced Image Analysis
  • Analysts Have Bachelor Degrees or Higher
  • Overnight Shipping to the Lab
  • Ph.D. Molecular Biologist on Staff
  • Free Phone Consultation with Results
  • Results provide 99% accurate genus identification

Sample Collection

  • Swab, dust, air, or bulk
  • Purified sample from an upstream test
  • Pure isolate submitted to the laboratory

Upstream Tests

  • Culturable Bacteria
  • Coliforms

Downstream Tests

  • Species Identification

Pricing

$90.00 for pure isolate. 
Cost of upstream analysis discounted 15%. 
Call for volume pricing.
 
Coliforms / E. coli

Coliforms are cultured in a specialized growth broth.  The culture broth contains proteins and a specialized buffer that guarantees the rapid growth of coliforms.  It also contains an inhibitor to prevent the growth of other bacteria, especially Gram-positive bacteria. To detect coliforms, a chromogenic substrate is added to the medium that turns the growth medium blue-green when metabolized by coliforms.   In addition the culture medium contains an E. coli specific fluorescent substrate that glows blue when exposed to UV light.  The coliform test can be either qualitative (positive/negative) or quantitative.

Best Uses

  • When black water is released indoors, from flooding, or sewage backup
  • Health care facilities where the environment directly impacts patient health
  • Well water—all wells should be tested annually for the presence of coliforms
  • Fecal contamination indoors due to pests such as mice, rats, birds, bats
  • Fecal contamination indoors due to pet activity
  • To evaluate the quality of janitorial services

Key Coliform Facts

  • 48 hour turnaround time.
  • Robotic Handling and Advanced Image Analysis
  • Analysts Have Bachelor Degrees or Higher
  • Overnight Shipping to the Lab
  • Ph.D. Microbiologist on Staff
  • Free Phone Consultation with Results
  • Results either qualitative or quantitative based on need.
  • High sensitive for detecting coliforms.

 

Interferences

  • Desiccation—excessive drying during collection may lead to loss of viability
  • Environmental extremes—avoid excessive exposure to heat and direct sunlight
  • Biocides and disinfectants—avoid collecting samples from areas recently treated with antimicrobials

Sample Collection

  • Swab, dust, or bulk materials

  • Water collected in a special container provided by AssuredBio

Downstream Assays

  • Genus Identification
  • Species Identification

Pricing

$25.00 Qualitative results (positive/negative)
$45.00 Quantitative results (coliform counts/E.coli counts)
Call for volume pricing.

 
Bacteria Species Identification

DNA SymbolAssuredBio uses state-of-the-art DNA technology to identify bacteria species from any upstream analysis or pure culture of a bacterium submitted to the laboratory.  The testing process begins with a pure isolate from an upstream analysis such as culturable bacteria or coliforms.  From there, a laboratory analyst performs an extensive set of clean-up methods to ensure that only the purest DNA is used for sequence analysis.  Sequence analysis is used to decode the bacteria DNA and provide the raw genetic code that is used to derive genus identification.  We use a proprietary 2-D, or Dual Database, BLAST approach to ensure that our clients are provided with superior species identification.  

Best Uses

  • When indoor air quality is directly impacting the health of occupants
  • When immune compromised individuals are occupying the environment
  • To identify an infectious agent
  • To link an infection causing bacteria to environmental conditions
  • Whenever a project has the potential to go to litigation
  • In a health care facility, school or public building
  • When requested by a medical professional
  • When requested by a lawyer, property owner, or school plant manager 

Key Facts

  • The two dominant isolates are included from an upstream analysis
  • 5-7 day turnaround (once purified, total time depends on upstream analysis)
  • Robotic Handling and Advanced Image Analysis
  • Analysts Have Bachelor Degrees or Higher
  • Overnight Shipping to the Lab
  • Ph.D. Molecular Biologist on Staff
  • Free Phone Consultation with Results
  • Results provide 99% accurate species identification

Sample Collection

  • Swab, dust, air, or bulk
  • Purified sample from an upstream test
  • Pure isolate submitted to the laboratory

Upstream Tests

  • Culturable Bacteria
  • Coliforms

Downstream Tests

  • Species Identification

Pricing

$125.00 for pure isolate. 
Cost of upstream analysis discounted 15%. 
Call for volume pricing.
 


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