Diagnostic Immunology Laboratory
General Information
The Diagnostic Immunology Laboratory performs serologic assays for the detection of patient antibody responses to bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. A diverse array of techniques from classical (immunodiffusion) to contemporary (suspension phase microsphere immunoassay) are employed.
The Laboratory performs reference level testing for the confirmation of serologic results suggesting the presence of infectious diseases reportable to New York State. Through collaborations with the Department of Health's Division of Epidemiology, the laboratory provides support to confirm outbreaks of respiratory illness such mycoplasmosis and legionellosis, and aid in the diagnosis of viral skin eruptions seen in the community, such as measles and rubella. The laboratory assists in initiatives to identify nonbacterial causes of meningitis and encephalitis, such as the arboviruses.
Diagnostic testing is performed for rare infections such as:
- Rickettsioses (e.g. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and murine typhus)
- Bartonella infections (e.g. cat scratch disease and bacillary angiomatosis)
The laboratory is expanding its knowledge of the extent of morbidity and mortality caused by tickborne agents such as:
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum
- Babesia microti
- Borrelia burgdorferi and
- Powassan virus
Aside from certain public health programs, diagnostic testing of primary specimens is not routinely performed. Upon consultation with the laboratory, however, special arrangements can be made for problematic cases.