Bacteriology/Parasitology

The Bacteriology Section supports state and local health departments in their investigations of disease outbreaks. Identification of pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria in food and human samples is performed in this section. Specimens from the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner are also tested here to assist them in determining the cause of death.

Diarrheal Illnesses

This is one of our specialties! When you have diarrhea, you may go to your physician, who takes a stool sample to test to see what is making you sick. These stool samples are analyzed at laboratories all over Utah. When the test is completed, all of the bacteria come to the State Lab where we look to see if an outbreak is occurring. This summer, we have seen multiple outbreaks causing diarrhea, and most of the time it is caused by the foods you eat.

We have seen recent outbreaks caused by unpasteurized orange juice, clover/alfalfa sprouts, and ice cream prepared with raw eggs.

Not only can bacteria give you diarrhea, but parasites can too. Giardia is the best known parasite that can cause diarrhea. Many people in Utah get Giardia every year. The best way to protect yourself against Giardia is to be careful about not drinking water from creeks or streams, no matter how clean they appear.

Tuberculosis

This disease is an important one for public health. Because it can be spread through the air, it is very important to quickly identify people with this disease so they can be treated. Once a person is treated, then they cannot spread TB to other people.

Rare Diseases

Another specialty of the State Lab is rare diseases. When a disease is very rarely seen, it is usually difficult to diagnose. All rare disease organisms come to the State Lab where we make sure that the diagnosis is correct.