Molecular testing techniques- primarily polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next generation sequencing (NGS)- have significantly increased the overall sensitivity and specificity of detection and characterization of bacteria and viruses that cause disease. The Molecular Diagnostics and Virology section is heavily involved in supporting many molecular research and development projects, including the development of new PCR assays, and rapidly evolving NGS methods and associated bioinformatics.
The section works in close partnership with the Iowa Department of Public Health to target diseases of public health significance- highly communicable diseases that require intervention to reduce or stop their spread. Among these are legionellosis, viral meningitis, mumps, herpes and chicken pox.
The section also tests specimens related to disease outbreaks, such as whooping cough (pertussis) and norovirus, the primary cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks in Iowa. The Hygienic Lab is the only lab in the state that performs confirmatory norovirus tests. Identification of these pathogens allows state outbreak investigators to target remediation and prevention strategies.
Testing is also performed in support of various surveillance programs in partnership with IDPH, Iowa State University and local public health departments:
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