Overview

What is the ABCs Isolate Bank?

The Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) Isolate Bank is an extensive collection of group A Streptococcus, group B Streptococcus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates. ABCs is an integral part of the Emerging Infections Programs of CDC. Learn more about ABCs.

As part of ABCs, bacterial isolates from a normally sterile site (e.g., blood, cerebrospinal fluid) are sent to CDC and partner reference laboratories for antibiotic susceptibility testing and serotyping. Identifying data are limited to ensure that all information associated with the isolates is anonymous.

On this website you will find further information about the available isolates, as well as the proper procedure for requesting them.

The ABCs Isolate Bank is a joint project of CDC's Division of Bacterial Diseases, the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, and the CDC and ATSDR Specimen Packaging, Inventory and Repository – or CASPIR.