Microbiology at VIFM

The Microbiology Laboratory at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine is located in the Donor Tissue Bank and is responsible for all serological and microbiological testing at the Institute.

Serology includes the testing of all admission bloods for Hepatitis C Virus and HIV, as well as testing all donors for Hepatitis C Virus, HIV, Hepatitis B Virus, Human T-Cell Lymphotrophic Virus and Syphilis. In 2005 a total of 3740 bloods were tested and of these 0.28% were HIV positive and 5.16% were HCV positive.

In addition to the serology performed at the Institute all donor blood samples are referred to external laboratories for HIV PCR testing, Blood grouping and in the case of heart donors, HLA typing.

Microbiological specimens received in the laboratory include tissue banking samples as well as post mortem samples. These may be fluids, swabs or tissue sections.

Microbiological samples are collected during the retrieval and during the processing stages of tissue banking. They may be from cardiac tissue, skin or different types of musculoskeletal tissue including bones and ligaments.

Clinical specimens are taken at autopsy and include samples such as lung tissue, bowels, urine and brain swabs.

All microbiological samples are cultured on appropriate agar and identification of any pathogens is carried out. Techniques commonly used in identification are gram staining, catalase and oxidase tests, coagulase tests and standardised identification systems such as API20E. Confirmatory testing, if needed, is carried out by external laboratories as well as any viral testing that may be required.

Environmental conditions are monitored during all tissue banking procedures by the Microbiologist. Unacceptable levels of microorganisms found in any retrieval or processing area results in thorough disinfection of that particular room.

The Microbiology Laboratory is responsible for notifying infectious diseases to the Department of Human Services. These may be sexually transmitted diseases or other infectious diseases such as Hepatitis C, Legionellosis, Influenza and Meningococcal infection. Risk factors associated with any infectious disease are included in the notification.

Microbiological and blood testing is also performed at the Institute for external laboratories. The Microbiologist tests samples and provides results for the Douglas Hocking Research Institute, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, University of Melbourne and Mildura Base Hospital.

To ensure quality control in the performance of all testing carried out in the Microbiology Laboratory, the laboratory participates in quality assurance programs. These programs include both serology and microbiological testing. The microbiology laboratory is accredited by both the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA). 

A Day in the Life of a Microbiologist

An insight into the extensive work of the clinical microbiologist at the VIFM.