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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Paracoccidioides brasiliensis - Antibody Detection

See: Fungal Serology

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis - Identification/Confirmation of Referred Isolate

See: Fungus identification

Paragonimus westermani - Antibody Detection

See: Parasite Serology

Paragonimus westermani - Detection in Clinical Samples

Methodology: Concentration and Microscopic Examination
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Required
Specimen: Sputum preserved in 10% formalin
Stool preserved in both formalin and PVA - fill to line (kits are available from MDH)
Shipping: Ship at room temperature.
Turnaround: Within 3 working days
Comments: Examination of multiple stool and sputum specimens may be required.

Paragonimus westermani - Identification/Confirmation of Referred Specimen

See: Parasite Identification

Parainfluenza Virus - Detection in Clinical Samples

Methodology: Culture, Direct fluorescent antibody, Indirect fluorescent antibody
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Required
Specimen: Nasal swab sample in viral transport medium
Throat swab in viral transport medium
Shipping: Ship at refrigeration temperature.
Turnaround: Culture results available within 10 days. Direct Fluorescent Antibody and Indirect Fluorescent Antibody results available in 1-2 days

Parainfluenza Virus - 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: Nasopharyngeal swab, dry or in transport medium
Throat swab, dry or in transport medium
Nasal wash (0.5 ml)
Bronchoalveolar lavage, pleural fluid, tracheal aspirate (0.5 ml)
Shipping: Ship at refrigeration temperature.
Turnaround: Not available
Comments: This test is for research use only. This assay detects Parainfluenza virus types 1, 2, and 3

Parasite Examination, Blood

See also: Plasmodium
Methodology: Microscopic examination of Giemsa stained blood smears
Agents Detected: Plasmodium spp., Trypanosoma spp., microfilariae, Babesia spp.
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Required
Specimen: Thick and thin blood films - 3 sets, air-dry and EDTA blood tube - filled
Shipping: Transport slides in protective holder at room temperature.
Ship EDTA blood at refrigeration temperature
Turnaround: Within 1 working day
Comments: Examination of blood films collected every 6-8 hours for up to 3 days may be required to diagnose or rule out infection.

Parasite Examination, Intestinal - Detection in Stool

Methodology: Formalin ethyl acetate concentration, Trichrome stain, Acid-fast stain
Agents Detected: Eggs and larvae of intestinal helminths, cysts and trophozoites of intestinal protozoa, and oocysts of coccidia (Routine O&P)
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Required
Specimen: Stool preserved in both formalin and PVA - fill to line (kits are available from MDH)
Shipping: Ship at room temperature.
Turnaround: Within 3 working days
Comments: A minimum of 3 stool specimens collected on alternate days is recommended for detection of intestinal parasites.

Parasite Identification (adult parasite) - Identification/Confirmation of Referred Specimen

Methodology: Gross or microscopic examination
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Not required
Specimen: Whole worm, scolex, or proglottids, in saline or 10% formalin or 70% alcohol
Shipping: Ship at room temperature.
Turnaround: Within 3 working days

Parasite Identification, Blood - Identification/Confirmation of Referred Specimen

See also: Plasmodium
Methodology: Microscopic examination, PCR for Plasmodium DNA
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Not required
Specimen: Thick and thin blood films - stained or unstained
EDTA blood tube (filled) for Plasmodium PCR
Shipping: Transport slides in protective holder at room temperature.
Ship EDTA blood at refrigeration temperature
Turnaround: Within 3 working days

Parasite Identification (eggs, larvae, cysts) - Identification/Confirmation of Referred Specimen

Methodology: Microscopic examination
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Not required
Specimen: Prepared specimen concentrate
Stained or unstained slides
Shipping: Ship at room temperature.
Turnaround: Within 1 working day

Parasite Serology

Methodology: Varies according to agent
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Not required
Specimen: Serum, adults (3 ml)
Serum, children (0.5 ml)
CSF (1 ml). Acceptable for cysticercosis, paragonimiasis, and schistosomiasis testing when CNS disease is suspected.
Eye fluid (0.1 ml), neat fluid (no washings). Acceptable only for toxocariasis and toxoplasmosis.
Shipping: Ship at refrigeration temperature.
Turnaround: Not available
Comments: Sent to CDC

Pertussis

See: Bordetella pertussis

PFGE

See: Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis

Picornavirus - 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: CSF (0.5 ml)
Throat swab, dry or in viral transport medium
Stool in ParaPak C&S, Modified Carey-Blair or equivalent - fill to line (approximately 5 ml)
Skin vesicle (see Rash Illness Panel)
Shipping: Ship at refrigeration temperature.
Turnaround: Not available
Comments: This tests detects picornaviruses, including rhinovirus and enterovirus. This test is for research use only. Encephalitis caused by viral agents must be reported to MDH as required by State Rule 4605.7040.

Pinworm

See: Enterobius vermicularis

Plague

See: Yersinia pestis

Plasmodium spp. - Antibody Detection

See: Parasite Serology

Plasmodium spp. - Confirmation and Species Identification of Referred Specimens

Methodology: Microscopic Examination, PCR
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Not required
Specimen: Thick and thin blood films - stained or unstained
Shipping: Transport slides in protective holder at room temperature.
Ship EDTA blood at refrigeration temperature
Turnaround: Not available
Comment: PCR is for research use only

This disease must be reported to MDH as required by State Rule 4605.7040.

Plasmodium spp. - Detection in Blood

Methodology: Microscopic examination of Giemsa stained blood smears
Restrictions: None
Fee Sticker: Required
Specimen: Thick and thin blood films - 3 sets, air-dry
EDTA blood tube - filled
Shipping: Transport slides in protective holder at room temperature.
Ship EDTA blood at refrigeration temperature
Turnaround: Within 1 working day of specimen receipt

Plasmodium spp. - Species Identification by PCR

Methodology: PCR
Restrictions: Please call laboratory at (651) 201-5073 before requesting this test.
Fee Sticker: Not required
Specimen: Whole EDTA blood (0.5 ml)
Thick and thin blood films - stained or unstained
Shipping: Transport slides in protective holder at room temperature.
Ship EDTA blood at refrigeration temperature
Turnaround: Not available
Comments: PCR requests must be accompanied by thick and thin blood films for morphologic comparison. This test is for research use only.

This disease must be reported to MDH as required by State Rule 4605.7040

Plesiomonas shigelloides - 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: Not available

Plesiomonas shigelloides - 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: Within 4-6 working days

Pneumonic plague

See: Yersinia pestis

Poliovirus

See: Enterovirus

Pontiac fever

See: Legionella spp.

Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis

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: Actively growing pure culture on suitable medium
Shipping: Ship at room temperature.
Turnaround: Not available
Comment: This test is for research use only