Microbiology Laboratory

Laboratory director: Dr. Sarit Freeman

Deputy Laboratory Director and Head of Quality: Ms. Elvira Zebrizer, MSc

Dr. Kareem Aatmana, PhD - Head of Bacteriology and Research

Ms. Rafaella Yulzeri-Gittelman, MSc - Head of Molecular Testing

Ms. Stella Avdov, MSc - Head of Urinalysis

Ms. Tammy Shoshani

Ms. Vita Misko

Ms. Joan Peled

Ms. Shoshana Agronov

Ms. Aya Jabrin

Ms. Hiba Masarwa

Ms. Inbar Rawan Abu-Halal

Mr. Muhammad Younes

Ms. Neta Egozi

Ms. Tal Legali Bracha

Ms. Eden Rubin

The Microbiology Laboratory performs the following tests: 

• Cultures for diagnosis, isolation and identification of a wide array of pathogenic multiorganisms from various clinical samples such as samples of blood, urine, wounds, body fluids, spinal fluid, drains and more, and determine their antibiotic susceptibility using a variety of methods. 
• Serology tests to identify antibodies against Toxoplasma, CMV, EBV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, parvovirus B19, rubella, galactomannan. 
• Tests to identify antibodies against Q fever, Rickettsia and syphilis. Tests to identify antibodies against malaria, Brucella, Legionella., Mycoplasma and fecal occult blood. 
• Molecular tests to identify respiratory viruses, including influenza, COVID-19, adenovirus, MPV, parainfluenza. 
• Diagnosis of viruses such as VZV, HSV, CMV, enterovirus. 
• Molecular diagnosis of tuberculosis and whooping cough bacteria as well as STD panel.

The Microbiology Laboratory is equipped with the latest and most accurate equipment for performance of these tests, including a system to monitor blood cultures (BACTEC-FX), automatic system for rapid identification of microorganisms (MALDI-TOF SIRIUS) and a system for determining antibiotic susceptibility (VITEK II). The laboratory is also equipped with devices to perform rapid screening of urinary tract infections and sterile tests of pharmaceutical preparations (ALFRED), as well as devices that perform serology tests (LIAISON, LOTUS). The laboratory has a fluorescence microscope with a system to photograph and document findings. The laboratory performs molecular tests to identify viruses and bacteria in a closed system (GeneXpert) and an open real-time PCR system (CFX-96, QuantStudio 5).

The laboratory plays an important role in infection control, and the laboratory employees are in daily contact with the Infectious Diseases Unit. The laboratory reports periodic findings to the Antibiotic Stewardship Committee and the Infection Control Committee. Additionally, the laboratory provides consults to the attending staff on how to take samples and interpret results of the laboratory tests.

The laboratory undergoes external quality control through CAP and Labquality programs and internal quality control according to recommendations of the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) for quality control of the results. The laboratory is ISO9001-2015 certified.

Location:

Laboratories building

Telephone numbers:

04-7744365

04-7744574

E-mail:

[email protected]