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Tests for Agents Beginning with “P”
The Clinical Guide to Services, from Minnesota’s Infectious Disease Laboratory
The Clinical Guide to Services is a comprehensive reference guide of testing services, shipping information, and submission requirements for Minnesota’s Infectious Disease Laboratory.
Even though there are ongoing efforts to keep information current, some information may not be up to date due to recent changes in testing procedures and/or regulation. Many of these tests are only available with prior approval from the Minnesota Department of Health.
If you cannot find what you are looking for in the guide, please Contact the Infectious Disease Laboratory.
Alphabetical by Agent
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | IJK | L | M | N |
O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | XYZ
| Test Name | Paragonimus westermani - Antibody Detection |
| See: Parasite Serology | |
| Test Name | Parainfluenza Virus - Detection in Clinical Samples |
| Methodology | Culture, Direct fluorescent antibody, Indirect fluorescent antibody |
| Pre-Approval | None |
| Supplemental Information | None |
| 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 |
| Test Name | Parainfluenza Virus - Detection of RNA in Clinical Samples |
| Methodology | PCR |
| Pre-Approval | Contact Infectious Disease Epidemiology Prevention and Control at 651-201-5414 or 877-676-5414 before requesting this test. |
| Supplemental Information | This test is for research use only. This assay detects Parainfluenza virus types 1, 2, 3, and 4 |
| 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 |
| Test Name | Parasite Examination, Blood |
| See also: Plasmodium | |
| Methodology | Microscopic examination of Giemsa stained blood smears Agents Detected: Plasmodium spp., Trypanosoma spp., microfilariae, Babesia spp. |
| Pre-Approval | None |
| Supplemental Information | Examination of blood films collected every 6-8 hours for up to 3 days may be required to diagnose or rule out infection. |
| 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 |
| Test Name | Parasite Examination, Intestinal - Detection in Stool |
| Methodology | Formalin ethyl acetate concentration, Trichrome stain, Acid-fast stain, auto fluorescence and DFA Agents Detected: Oocysts of cryptosporidium, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Giardia lambia cysts and trophs |
| Pre-Approval | None |
| Supplemental Information | A minimum of 3 stool specimens collected on alternate days is recommended for detection of intestinal parasites. |
| Specimen | Stool preserved in both formalin and PVA or EcoFix- fill to line (kits are available from MDH) |
| Shipping | Ship at room temperature. |
| Turnaround | Within 3 working days |
| Test Name | Parasite Identification (adult parasite) - Identification/Confirmation of Referred Specimen |
| Methodology | Gross or microscopic examination |
| Pre-Approval | None |
| Supplemental Information | None |
| Specimen | Whole worm, scolex, or proglottids, in saline or 10% formalin or 70% alcohol |
| Shipping | Ship at room temperature. |
| Turnaround | Within 3 working days |
| Test Name | Parasite Identification, Blood - Identification/Confirmation of Referred Specimen |
| See also: Plasmodium | |
| Methodology | Microscopic examination, PCR for Plasmodium DNA |
| Pre-Approval | None |
| Supplemental Information | None |
| Specimen | Thick and thin blood films - stained or unstained EDTA blood tube (1.0 ml minimum) for Plasmodium PCR Dried blood on a slide can be tested if whole blood is not available |
| Shipping | Transport slides in protective holder at room temperature. Ship EDTA blood at refrigeration temperature |
| Turnaround | Within 3 working days |
| Test Name | Parasite Identification (eggs, larvae, cysts) - Identification/Confirmation of Referred Specimen |
| Methodology | Digital images through DpDx |
| Pre-Approval | None |
| Supplemental Information | Sent to CDC |
| Specimen | Prepared specimen concentrate Stained or unstained slides |
| Shipping | Ship at room temperature. |
| Turnaround | Within 1 working day |
| Test Name | Parasite Serology |
| Methodology | Varies according to agent |
| Pre-Approval | None |
| Supplemental Information | Sent to CDC. |
| Specimen | |
| Shipping | |
| Turnaround | Not available |
| Test Name | Pertussis |
| See: Bordetella pertussis | |
| Test Name | PFGE |
| See: Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis | |
| Test Name | Picornavirus - Detection of RNA in Clinical Samples |
| Methodology | PCR |
| Pre-Approval | Contact Infectious Disease Epidemiology Prevention and Control at 651-201-5414 or 877-676-5414 before requesting this test. |
| Supplemental Information | 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. |
| 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 |
| Test Name | Pinworm |
| See: Enterobius vermicularis | |
| Test Name | Plague |
| See: Yersinia pestis | |
| Test Name | Plasmodium spp. - Antibody Detection |
| See: Parasite Serology | |
| Test Name | Plasmodium spp. - Confirmation and Species Identification of Referred Specimens |
| Methodology | Microscopic Examination |
| Pre-Approval | None |
| Supplemental Information | This disease must be reported to MDH as required by State Rule 4605.7040. |
| Specimen | Thick and thin blood films - stained or unstained, EDTA blood (1.0 ml minimum) |
| Shipping | Transport slides in protective holder at room temperature. Ship EDTA blood at refrigeration temperature. |
| Turnaround | Not available |
| Test Name | Plesiomonas shigelloides - Detection in Stool |
| Methodology | Culture |
| Pre-Approval | Contact Infectious Disease Epidemiology Prevention and Control at 651-201-5414 or 877-676-5414 before requesting this test. |
| Supplemental Information | Done for investigation of foodborne illness only. |
| 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 |
| Test Name | Plesiomonas shigelloides - Identification/Confirmation of Referred Isolate |
| Methodology | MALDI |
| Pre-Approval | None |
| Supplemental Information | None |
| Specimen | Actively growing pure culture on suitable medium. |
| Shipping | Ship at room temperature. |
| Turnaround | Within 4-6 working days. |
| Test Name | Pneumonic plague |
| See: Yersinia pestis | |
| Test Name | Poliovirus |
| See: Enterovirus | |
| Test Name | Powassan Virus |
| See: Arbovirus Panel | |
| Test Name | Pontiac fever |
| See: Legionella spp. | |
| Test Name | Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis |
| Methodology | |
| Pre-Approval | Contact Infectious Disease Epidemiology Prevention and Control at 651-201-5414 or 877-676-5414 before requesting this test. |
| Supplemental Information | This test is for research use only. |
| Specimen | Actively growing pure culture on suitable medium. |
| Shipping | Ship at room temperature. |
| Turnaround | Not available |