Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA): The Delaware Public Health Laboratory is CLIA certified (# 08D0662985) and monitors and inspects laboratories throughout the State to ensure compliance with CLIA regulations. More information about CLIA Amendments.

SERVICES

• Clinical Microbiology
  The Delaware Public Health Laboratory Clinical Microbiology section tests routine cultures from clinical sources for the presence of infectious disease. The section also tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomonas (sexually transmitted diseases, or STD’s) using amplified molecular identification methods. Other testing performed includes antimicrobial susceptibility and serotyping of Salmonella species, Shigella species, Shiga-toxin producing E.coli (STEC), Vibrio cholerae, Listeria species, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis. The section performs the typing of Salmonella species, Shigella species and STEC by pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for epidemiologic investigation. Tuberculosis (mycobacteriology) testing is performed for recovery, identification and drug susceptibility testing of acid fast bacilli (AFB). More information about Clinical Microbiology.

• Molecular Virology
  The Molecular Virology section provides testing for viruses of public health significance such as Rabies, West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Influenza and other respiratory viruses, HIV, herpes, norovirus and enteroviruses. The section also provides molecular detection of Bordetella pertussis, foodborne disease agents, and potential bioterrorism agents. More information about Molecular Virology.

• Environmental Chemistry
  The Environmental Chemistry Section evaluates inorganic/organic chemicals in drinking water from public and private supplies. More information about Environmental Chemistry.

• Water Microbiology
  The Water Microbiology lab tests drinking water for total coliforms, or E. coli , which are determined as indicators of pollution. More information about drinking water testing. The Water Microbiology lab also tests for antibiotics in raw milk.

• Chemical Preparedness
  The Chemical Preparedness Section provides 24/7 response to suspect and actual chemical terrorism events. More information about Chemical Preparedness.

• Biological Preparedness
  The Biological Preparedness section provides 24/7 response to suspect and actual biological terrorism events. More information about Biological Preparedness.

• Biosafety and Security
  The purpose of the Biosafety Risk Management Program is to maintain biosafety within laboratories. More information about Biosafety.

Testing Information:

• Rabies Test Requisition Form
• Laboratory Specimen Collection Procedures Chart
• Tests performed.
• Test Requisition Form for submitting routine clinical specimen
• Courier routes for specimen pickup.
• Instructions for Completing Preparedness Forms 
• Visit our Laboratory Preparedness page for testing forms and procedures related to biological and chemical terrorism preparedness.
• Visit our Laboratory Preparedness Advisory Committee (LPAC) page for forms and documents from the LPAC meetings.
• DPH Chain of Custody
• Please contact the Public Health Laboratory for more information about any of these tests. Laboratory Hours.

Download the latest issue of our newsletter!

• Newsletter - PDF Version

Past issues of the newsletter are available online.

Please note: Some of the files available on this page are in Adobe PDF format which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. A free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded directly from Adobe . If you are using an assistive technology unable to read Adobe PDF, please either view the corresponding text only version (if available) or visit Adobe's Accessibility Tools page.