Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Virology
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
The Delaware Public Health Laboratory Clinical Microbiology section tests clinical samples taken from urine, the cervix, and urethra for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea (oral and rectal) using amplified DNA methods. The section tests for and performs the typing of certain species of bacterial isolates by pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for epidemiologic investigation. Other testing performed includes Shigatoxin, antimicrobial susceptibility and serotyping of Salmonella, Shigella and Neisseria meningitidis. Tuberculosis (mycobacteriology) testing is performed for recovery, identification and drug susceptibility testing of acid fast bacilli (AFB).
MOLECULAR VIROLOGY
The Delaware Public Health Laboratory Molecular Virology section performs testing for viruses using living host systems to isolate viruses and serological procedures to identify viral infections. Sample sources include autopsy, biopsy, blood, CSF,cervix, eye, skin, lesion, throat, urine, stool or other body fluids. The Molecular Virology section also performs syphilis testing by RPR, VDRL and TPPA. Testing includes the following: HIV-1, herpes, West Nile, other arboviruses, rabies and influenza.
*Delaware Public Health Laboratory Policy re: Norovirus Testing
*Technical Information regarding Norovirus
*Norovirus Specimen Collection Procedures
