National Reference Centers

Santé publique France relies on a network of 43 National Reference Centers (Article L 1413-3 of the Public Health Code).

These are laboratories located within public or private health, educational, or research institutions. They are appointed for a five-year term by the Minister of Health upon the recommendation of Santé publique France.

• More information on National Reference Centers

Of the 43 National Reference Centers (NRCs) appointed in May 2023, 42 focus on specific pathogenic bacterial species. Their surveillance mission, which involves studying strains sent to them through a network of voluntary private and public laboratories, includes monitoring resistance to anti-infective agents. A 44th NRC is tasked with detecting and characterizing new resistance mechanisms: the NRC for Antibiotic Resistance. It collaborates with the other NRCs.

For certain bacterial species, the data presented in this report are based entirely or in part on the network of laboratories coordinated by the CNR responsible for that bacterial species. This is the case for:

• CNR Campylobacter and Helicobacter

• CNR Escherichia coli and Shigella

• CNR Gonococci

• CNR Haemophilus influenzae

• CNR Meningococci

• CNR Mycobacteria and Mycobacterial Resistance to Antituberculosis Drugs

• CNR Mycology and Antifungals

• CNR Pneumococci

• CNR Salmonella

• NRC Streptococci

Contact information for all CNRs is available here.