The Clinical Guide to Services is a comprehensive reference guide of testing services, shipping information and submission requirements. Efforts have been made to be concise and current with all information, but as testing procedures and regulations change, some information may not be current. Many of these tests are only available with prior approval from MDH. It is impossible to address all situations in this guide, so please contact us with any questions.

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Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB)

See:Mycobacterium spp.

Adenovirus - Detection in Clinical Samples

Methodology: Culture, Direct fluorescent antibody, Neutralization
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Required
Specimen: Nasopharyngeal or throat swab in viral transport medium, Nasal wash (>1 ml), Bronchoalveolar lavage, pleural fluid, tracheal aspirate (>1 ml), Ocular swab in viral transport medium, Stool in ParaPak C&S, Modified Carey-Blair or equivalent - fill to line (approximately 5 ml)
Shipping: Ship at refrigeration temperature.
Turnaround: Within 7 days of specimen receipt.

Adenovirus - Detection of DNA in Clinical Samples

Methodology: PCR
Restrictions: Contact Infectious Disease Epidemiology Prevention and Control at (651) 201-5414 or (877) 676-5414 before requesting this test.
Fee Sticker: Not required
Specimen: Nasopharyngeal or throat swab, dry or in viral transport medium, Nasal wash (0.5 ml), Bronchoalveolar lavage, pleural fluid, tracheal aspirate (0.5 ml), Ocular swab in viral transport medium, Stool in ParaPak C&S, Modified Carey-Blair or equivalent - fill to line (approximately 5 ml),
Shipping: Ship at refrigeration temperature.
Turnaround: Not available
Comments: This test is for research use only.

Adenovirus - Identification of Referred Isolate

Methodology: Neutralization
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Not required
Specimen: Actively growing adenovirus isolate on cell culture
Shipping: Ship at room temperature.
Turnaround: Not available

Aeromonas spp. - Detection in Stool

Methodology: Culture
Restrictions: Done for investigation of foodborne illness only. Contact Infectious Disease Epidemiology Prevention and Control at (651) 201-5414 or (877) 676-5414 before requesting this test.
Fee Sticker: Not required
Specimen: Stool in ParaPak C&S, Modified Carey-Blair or equivalent - fill to line (approximately 5 ml). Unpreserved stool samples must be received within 2 hours of collection.
Shipping: Ship preserved samples at room temperature. Transport fresh samples at refrigeration temperature.
Turnaround: Within 4-6 working days of specimen receipt

Aeromonas spp. - Identification/Confirmation of Referred Isolate

Methodology: Biochemical testing
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Not required
Specimen: Actively growing pure culture on suitable medium
Shipping: Ship at room temperature.
Turnaround: Not available

African Trypanosomiasis

See: Trypanosoma brucei spp.

Amebiasis

See: Entamoeba histolytica

American Trypanosomiasis

See: Trypanosoma cruzi

Ancylostoma spp. (Cutaneous Larva Migrans) - Antibody Detection

See: Parasite Serology

Anthrax

See: Bacillus anthracis

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

Methodology: Varies according to organism and antimicrobial agent. May include disk diffusion, E-test, or broth microdilution methods.
Restrictions: Susceptibility testing is done for surveillance purposes on reportable disease agents. Check individual agents, or call the laboratory at (651) 201-5073 for special circumstances.
Fee Sticker: Not required
Specimen: Actively growing pure culture on suitable medium
Shipping: Ship at room temperature.
Turnaround: Not available
Comments: Refer suspected vancomycin intermediate or resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VISA, VRSA) for confirmatory testing.

Arbovirus - Detection in Clinical Samples

Methodology: Culture
Tests Included in Panel: West Nile Virus (WNV), Lacrosse Encephalitis Virus, Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus, Western Equine Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Required for human clinical specimens, not required for avian, arthropod, or other non-human sources
Specimen: CSF (2.0 ml)
Mammalian Brains
Mosquitoes
Shipping: Ship at refrigeration temperature.
Turnaround: Within 10 days of specimen receipt

Arbovirus - PCR Panel

Methodology: PCR
Tests Included in Panel: West Nile Virus (WNV), Lacrosse Encephalitis Virus, Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus, Western Equine Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus.
PCR for West Nile Virus may be requested separately. See individual test listing.
Restrictions: Contact Infectious Disease Epidemiology Prevention and Control at (651) 201-5414 or (877) 676-5414 before requesting this test.
Fee Sticker: Not required
Specimen:
CSF (preferred)
Serum (0.5 ml)
Mammalian brains (200 mg)
Mosquitoes
Shipping: Ship at refrigeration temperature.
Turnaround: Not available

Arbovirus - IgM and IgG Antibody Detection

Methodology: Enzyme immunoassay for IgM and IgG (WNV), Indirect fluorescent antibody for IgM (other arboviruses)
Tests Included in Panel: West Nile Virus (WNV) IgM and IgG available. California Encephalitis Group Viruses, including LaCrosse Antibody, Saint Louis Encephalitis Antibody, Western Equine Encephalitis Antibody, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (IgM antibody detection available only).
WNV serology tests may be requested separately from the rest of the panel. See entry for West Nile Virus Antibody Detection.
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Required
Specimen: Serum, preferred (1 ml)
CSF (1ml) for WNV IgM EIA
Shipping: Ship at refrigeration temperature.
Turnaround: 7 days

Arthropod - Identification

Methodology: Examination of body structures
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Not required
Specimen: Whole arthropod in 70% alcohol
Do not place on cellophane tape.
Shipping: Ship at room temperature.
Turnaround: Within 5 working days of specimen receipt

Aspergillus spp. - Antibody Detection

See: Fungal Serology

Aspergillus spp. - Identification of Referred Culture

Methodology: Culture morphology, biochemical testing
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Not required
Specimen: Actively growing pure culture on suitable medium
Shipping: Ship at room temperature, sealed culture system.
Turnaround: Usually within 2 weeks of specimen receipt

Astrovirus - Detection of RNA in Clinical Samples

Methodology: PCR
Restrictions: Contact Infectious Disease Epidemiology Prevention and Control at (651) 201-5414 or (877) 676-5414 before requesting this test.
Fee Sticker: Not required
Specimen: Stool, fresh
Stool in ParaPak C&S, Modified Carey-Blair or equivalent - fill to line (approximately 5 ml)
Shipping: Ship at refrigeration temperature.
Turnaround: Not available
Comments: This test is for research use only.