MICHELLE SEXTON: michelle-sexton@uiowa.edu
Serologic testing is used to diagnose certain
acute, recent or chronic infectious diseases by
detecting antigens or antibodies in the blood.
In some cases, when the suspected etiologic
agent is impossible, difficult or dangerous
to grow in cultures in a routine diagnostic
laboratory, serology is the safest, most
practical testing method. Monitoring antibody
levels that the body produces in response to
exposure is important in the medical care of
the patient, as well as in stopping the spread
of disease from person to person. Serology’s most commonly performed assay
helps diagnose latent tuberculosis infection.
More than half of these tests are performed
for Iowa colleges and universities on
international students from high-risk TB areas
of the world. Screening for latent TB infection
is an admission requirement to prevent the
potential spread of the disease that could
occur as the international students join the
student campus population.
Measles and mumps exposures, as well
as mosquito- and tick-borne diseases, are
some of the diseases commonly requested
for testing in support of epidemiological
investigations performed by the Iowa
Department of Public Health.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Supported IDPH in testing for mumps during an outbreak that started in the fall of 2015 and continued through the summer of 2016.
- Began Zika IgM Antibody testing in May.
Other Units in Disease Control
The Office of the Director consists of 10 key functional units that enable the State Hygienic Laboratory to achieve its statutory charge set forth in the Iowa Administrative Code.
The primary mission of the Disease Control Division is to test human specimens, food and water for diseases of public health significance to protect the citizens of Iowa.
The Environmental Health Division monitors drinking water, wastewater, air, soil and food for contaminants of potential environmental and public health concern.
The Division of Administration and Finance is responsible for the management of the business practices, all Hygienic Laboratory facilities, and pre/post testing support.