STI & Bloodborne Pathogen Testing

The SDPHL offers testing of select sexually transmitted infections and bloodborne pathogens. STIs often have no symptoms but can cause serious long-term health problems. It is important to screen sexually active individuals to prevent person-to-person spread of these infections.

Bloodborne pathogens include HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. The CDC estimates there are approximately 18 million workers in the healthcare industry, many of whom are at risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Bloodborne pathogens are transmitted via accidental needlesticks, contact between broken skin and infected body fluids, and contact between mucous membranes and infected body fluids.

Please refer to our service manual for a complete list of tests offered, testing algorithms, and miscellaneous information about testing.

Medical Laboratory Submission Form Medical Microbiology Service Manual Quick Reference Guide for Sample Type and Shipping Conditions Order Medical Testing Supplies Laboratory Fee Schedule

STI and Bloodborne Pathogen Testing Menu

Code: GPB

Method: Amplified RNA

Specimen: Endocervical, male urethral, urine, throat, rectal, vaginal, liquid pap solution

Turnaround: 1-2 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C. Vaginal, cervical, liquid Pap solution, throat, rectal, or male urethral swabs must be submitted in Hologic Aptima2 collection kit. Urine must be transferred into Hologic specimen transport tubes within 24 hours of collection.

Shipping: Ship as category B

Click Here for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Gen-Probe Supplemental Information

Code: HAV

Method: Chemiluminescence immunoassay

Specimen: Serum only

Turnaround: 3-5 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C for up to 7 days or frozen at <-20° C

Shipping: Ship as category B

Click Here for Interpretation of Hepatitis Results

Code: HAM

Method: Chemiluminescence immunoassay

Specimen: Serum or Plasma

Turnaround: 3-5 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C for up to 7 days or frozen at <-20° C

Shipping: Ship as category B

Click Here for Interpretation of Hepatitis Results

Code: HAP

Method: Chemiluminescence immunoassay

Specimen: Serum or Plasma

Turnaround: 3-5 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C for up to 6 days or frozen at <-20° C

Shipping: Ship as category B

Click Here for Interpretation of Hepatitis Results

Code: HBD

Method: Chemiluminescence immunoassay

Specimen: Serum or Plasma

Turnaround: 3-5 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C for up to 6 days or frozen at <-20° C

Shipping: Ship as category B

Click Here for Interpretation of Hepatitis Results

Code: HBC

Method: Chemiluminescence immunoassay

Specimen: Serum or Plasma

Turnaround: 3-5 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C for up to 6 days or frozen at <-20° C

Shipping: Ship as category B

Click Here for Interpretation of Hepatitis Results

Code: VCM

Method: Chemiluminescence immunoassay

Specimen: Serum or Plasma

Turnaround: 3-5 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C for up to 6 days or frozen at <-20° C

Shipping: Ship as category B

Click Here for Interpretation of Hepatitis Results

Code: VHC

Method: Chemiluminescence immunoassay

Specimen: Serum or Plasma

Turnaround: 3-5 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C for up to 6 days or frozen at <-20° C

Shipping: Ship as category B

Click Here for Interpretation of Hepatitis Results

Code: VHG or VSG (Post Vaccination Screen)    

Method: Chemiluminescence immunoassay

Specimen: Serum or Plasma

Turnaround: 3-5 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C for up to 6 days or frozen at <-20° C

Shipping: Ship as category B

Click Here for Interpretation of Hepatitis Results

Code: VSB

Method: Chemiluminescence immunoassay

Specimen: Serum or Plasma

Turnaround: 3-5 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C for up to 6 days or frozen at <-20° C

Shipping: Ship as category B

Click Here for Interpretation of Hepatitis Results

Code: HCV

Method: Chemiluminescence immunoassay

Specimen: Serum or Plasma

Turnaround: 3-5 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C for up to 6 days or frozen at <-20° C

Shipping: Ship as category B

Additional: Positive results will be confirmed with the HCV RNA Quantitative Assay

Click Here for Interpretation of Hepatitis Results

Code: HCVQ

Method: Transcription-Mediated Amplification

Specimen: Serum or EDTA plasma, separated from cells within 6 hours of collection

Turnaround: 5-7 business days

Transport: Plasma or serum shipped at 2-8° C for up to 5 days or frozen at <-20°C

Shipping: Ship as category B

Click Here for Interpretation of Hepatitis Results

Click Here for HCVq Frequently Asked Questions

Code: HSV

Method: PCR

Specimen: Acute and convalescent serum or CSF
Cutaneous or mucocutaneous swab of the lesion

Turnaround: 1-3 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C in less than 72 hours of collection; or frozen at <-20° C    

Shipping: Ship as category B

Click Here for Direct Swab RT PCR Supplemental Information

Code: HIV

Method: Chemiluminescence immunoassay - 4th Generation Ag/Ab Combo Assay

Specimen: Serum or Plasma (EDTA and heparin)

Turnaround: 1-3 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C for up to 7 days or frozen at <-20° C    

Shipping: Ship as category B

Additional: Positive results will be confirmed with the Geenius HIV-1/HIV-2 Supplemental Assay

Click Here for HIV Supplemental Information

Click Here for the Recommended HIV Testing Algorithm  

Code: GPB

Method: Amplified RNA

Specimen: Endocervical, male urethral, urine, rectal, throat, vaginal, liquid pap solution

Turnaround: 1-2 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C. Vaginal, cervical, liquid Pap solution, throat, rectal, or male urethral swabs must be submitted in Hologic Aptima2 collection kit. Urines must be transferred into Hologic specimen transport tubes within 24 hours of collection.  

Shipping: Ship as category B

Click Here for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Gen-Probe Supplemental Information

Code: RPR

Method: Charcoal Agglutination

Specimen: Serum, positive specimens will be confirmed with the TPA

Turnaround: 1-3 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C for up to 5 days or <-20° C

Shipping: Ship as category B

Click Here for Syphilis Serology Supplemental Information

Code: TPA

Method: Particle Agglutination

Specimen: Serum

Turnaround: 1-5 business days

Transport: Ship at 2-8° C for up to 5 days or <-20° C   

Shipping: Ship as category B

Click Here for Syphilis Serology Supplemental Information

Contact

For more information, please contact the Serology Laboratory at 605-773-3368