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Clinical Guide To Services

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Contact Info
Public Health Laboratory
651-201-5200
health.mdhlab@state.mn.us

Contact Info

Public Health Laboratory
651-201-5200
health.mdhlab@state.mn.us

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
Tags
  • infectious disease lab
Last Updated: 11/10/2022

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