Submission form for isolates and samples

Data exchange via MiBi portal

Laboratories can send materials (isolates, food, other) to the national reference laboratories for testing. Please also note the explanations regarding the submission procedure.

External Link:MiBi-Porta (in German)

Explanations for the submission procedure

An electronic submission form is available at for the submission of materials (diagnostic samples, isolates, food, other) for testing at the microbiological National Reference Laboratories (NRL) and Consiliary Laboratories (KL) of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment.

  • Please use only the current submission form for your submissions to the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and do not change its formatting. Unfortunately, submissions without a submission form cannot be processed.
  • Please remember to fill in all mandatory fields and to enter requested information inthe remaining sections of the form as detailed as possible.
  • The current submission form is available on the data exchange portal for microbiological reference laboratories (MiBi portal) as an Excel template.
  • Please use a separate submission form for each pathogen and state the test order precisely. Please remember to also enter the respective information as completely as possible.

You should complete the submission form on your computer and upload the Excel file to the MiBi portal (External Link:https://mibi-portal.bfr.bund.de/) for review.

The submission form has been created in Excel file format (.xlsx) and consists of two worksheets.

Detailed information on the materials should be entered

  • in worksheet 1 (the actual sample form).
  • The second worksheet contains important explanations that should be noted.

Please log in and then click on ‘Send’ to send your data to the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment.

As an alternative in case of technical difficulties, you can send your submission form via email to NRLs-Mibi@bfr.bund.de.

Please enclose a signed printout of the PDF sent by the MiBi portal with the sample submission as an accompanying note.

Download:Test request for ADV-coded isolates and samplesEinsendebogen-ADV-Isolate-Proben.xlsx (XLSX, 157 B, not accessible)

Download:Test request for AVV-coded isolates and samplesUntersuchungsauftrag-AVV-Isolate-Proben.xlsx (XLSX, 158 B, not accessible)

In connection to isolate and sample submissions, we would like to point out

FAQ on analysis requests to the BfR's National Reference Laboratories

To detect leptospira-specific antibodies, please send at least 500µl of serum if possible. Antibodies are detectable at the earliest after approx. 5-7 days after the onset of symptoms. The ELISA have a positive result at earlier stages of the infection than the microagglutination test (MAT). The examination of a further serum sample after one to two weeks can be useful in order to be able to visualise a titer progression. After an infection, antibodies can remain detectable for several months to years. Seroconversion or an increase in titre (4-fold or higher) indicates a recent infection.

If possible, please send at least 500µl EDTA blood or 5ml urine for the detection of pathogen-specific DNA. Pathogen-specific DNA can be detected in the blood for approx. 7 days after the first symptoms appear. The sample should be taken before antibiotic therapy. Pathogen-specific DNA can be detected in urine after approx. 7-10 days as the disease progresses. Other samples such as liquor can also be processed.

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