title: Public health microbiology in Germany: 20 years of national reference centers and consultant laboratories.
abstract: In 1995, in agreement with the German Federal Ministry of Health, the Robert Koch Institute established a public health microbiology system consisting of national reference centers (NRCs) and consultant laboratories (CLs). The goal was to improve the efficiency of infection protection by advising the authorities on possible measures and to supplement infectious disease surveillance by monitoring selected pathogens that have high public health relevance. Currently, there are 19 NRCs and 40 CLs, each appointed for three years. In 2009, an additional system of national networks of NRCs and CLs was set up in order to enhance effectiveness and cooperation within the national reference laboratory system. The aim of these networks was to advance exchange in diagnostic methods and prevention concepts among reference laboratories and to develop geographic coverage of services. In the last two decades, the German public health laboratory reference system coped with all major infectious disease challenges. The European Union and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) are considering implementing a European public health microbiology reference laboratory system. The German reference laboratory system should be well prepared to participate actively in this upcoming endeavor.
authors: Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Beermann
authors: Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Spargelfeldstr. 191, 1220 Vienna, Austria.
authors: Franz
authors: F
authors: Allerberger
authors: Department of Public Health, Ministry of Social Affairs, Hesse, Dostojewskistr. 4, 65187 Wiesbaden, Germany.
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Wirtz
authors: Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Reinhard
authors: R
authors: Burger
authors: Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: HamoudaO@rki.de.
authors: Osamah
authors: O
authors: Hamouda
mesh_terms: D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003253:Consultants; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Germany; National networks; National reference centers (NRCs); Public health microbiology laboratories; consultant laboratories (CLs)