Technical Updates

 

Technical Updates

Rabies Testing AnnouncementRabies Testing Announcement
October 11, 2023 --- Effective Monday, October 16, 2023, SHL will only accept unvaccinated animals that have bitten a person and bats found in the home for rabies testing. All other specimens submitted to SHL for rabies testing will be sent to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ISU VDL) for testing until further notice. Read more...


Ova and Parasite Reporting UpdateOva and Parasite Reporting Update
August 29, 2023 --- In an effort to make Ova and Parasite final reports clearer, the State Hygienic Laboratory is changing the analyte names on the Ova and Parasite, Stool Concentration and Trichrome Stain methods. Read more...


Acid Fast Bacillus Culture Reporting ChangesAcid Fast Bacillus Culture Reporting Changes
April 13, 2023 --- In an effort to make AFB Culture Final Reports clearer, SHL will employ 5 new tests to ensure that results appear on the final report in the order they are released. These changes will be effective 4/21/2023. Read more...


Discontinuation of Hepatitis A IgM Antibody and Hepatitis B Core IgM Antibody TestsDiscontinuation of Hepatitis A IgM Antibody and Hepatitis B Core IgM Antibody Tests
September 21, 2022 --- Effective October 3rd, the State Hygienic Laboratory will discontinue offering Hepatitis A IgM Antibody and Hepatitis B Core IgM Antibody tests. Read more...


Discontinuation of Complement Fixation TestsDiscontinuation of Complement Fixation Tests
September 1, 2022 --- Effective September 6, the State Hygienic Laboratory will discontinue offering Complement Fixation testing. Read more...


Laboratory Update: Orthopoxvirus, Conclusion, Qualitative Real-Time PCRLaboratory Update: Orthopoxvirus, Conclusion, Qualitative Real-Time PCR
August 1, 2022 --- The State Hygienic Laboratory is pleased to announce the release of the Orthopoxvirus, Conclusion, Qualitative Real-Time PCR test (LRN Code: LRNT123). This is a PCR test intended for the qualitative detection of non-variola Orthopoxviruses (VAC1 assay). Read more...


Method changes for Hepatitis and HIV testingMethod changes for Hepatitis and HIV testing
June 28, 2022 --- Effective September 9, the State Hygienic Laboratory will begin using the DiaSorin Liaison instrument (CLIA method) to analyze Hepatitis and HIV testing. Read more...


Syphilis Testing ChangesSyphilis Testing Changes
March 28, 2022 --- Effective June 1, the State Hygienic Laboratory will begin using the reverse syphilis serology testing algorithm instead of the traditional algorithm. Read more...


New Mumps IgG Antibody TestNew Mumps IgG Antibody Test
September 21, 2021 --- The State Hygienic Laboratory will offer a new Mumps IgG Antibody test effective October 1, 2021. Read more.


Update - 9/9/21 - Adding Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) to the Newborn Screening PanelAdding Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) to the Newborn Screening Panel
August 11, 2021; updated September 9, 2021 --- The North Dakota and South Dakota Newborn Screening Programs have completed the required administrative rule process to begin statewide newborn screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) effective September 1, 2021.


Mumps IgM Antibody and Arbovirus IgM Antibody Testing ChangesMumps IgM Antibody and Arbovirus IgM Antibody Testing Changes
August 30, 2021 --- The State Hygienic Laboratory will discontinue offering the Mumps IgM Antibody and Arbovirus IgM Antibody tests effective September 30, 2021. Read more.


DiaSorin SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Testing ChangesDiaSorin SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Testing Changes
August 30, 2021 --- The DiaSorin SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody test will have a new result interpretation effective Ocober 1, 2021. Read more.


Lyme Antibody Testing ChangesLyme Antibody Testing Changes
March 1, 2021 --- The State Hygienic Laboratory will discontinue offering the Lyme IgG and IgM Antibodies by Western Blot tests effective May 1, 2021. Read more.


Cycle Threshold (Ct) Values in PCR TestsCycle Threshold (Ct) Values in PCR Tests
December 15, 2020 --- Information and Resources for better understanding the role of Ct values in COVID-19 testing. Read more.


Herpes Simplex Virus IgG and IgM Antibodies Testing DiscontinuedHerpes Simplex Virus IgG and IgM Antibodies Testing Discontinued
July 6, 2020 --- Due to decreased demand for Herpes Simplex Virus IgG and IgM antibodies testing, the State Hygienic Laboratory will discontinue offering the following tests effective July 6, 2020:


Discharge Monitoring Report-Quality Assurance Study Program (DMR-QA)Discharge Monitoring Report-Quality Assurance Study Program (DMR-QA)
February 5, 2020 --- Every year, EPA sends out participation information on the Discharge Monitoring Report-Quality Assurance Study Program (DMR-QA). Waste water permittees that participate must report proficiency testing (PT) results for analytes on their permits and DMR-QA analyte list.


Environmental Sample Collection, Handling, and Preservation Requirements
September 24, 2019


Parasitology: Pinworm Examination Test OfferedParasitology: Pinworm Examination Test Offered
June 27, 2019 --- Effective July 1st, 2019, the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) will offer a Pinworm examination test. Pinworm collection devices or scotch tape preps will be accepted for Pinworm identification.


SHL updates clinical test request forms (TRFs)SHL updates clinical test request forms (TRFs)
June 18, 2019 --- The State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) will be updating its clinical test request forms (TRFs) effective July 1, 2019 to reflect the changes in Iowa's Managed Care Organizations (MCOs).




Measles UpdateMeasles Update
April 15, 2019 --- The State Hygienic Laboratory performs measles testing at the request of the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). Providers should contact the IDPH Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology at 800-362-2736. PCR is the preferred method for viral detection of measles.


SHL updates Final Report designSHL updates Final Report design
Jan. 31, 2019 --- On March 1, the State Hygienic Laboratory will transition to a new Final Report design for all testing, except Newborn Screening.



Discontinuation of Rubella and Measles Serology Testsrubella virus
Oct. 11, 2018 --- SHL will discontinue Rubella IgG, Rubella IgM and Measles IgM testing effective December 31, 2018. Because rubella and measles are rare diseases in the US, the majority of IgM positive tests will likely be false positives.


Collecting Private Well Water for Testing at SHLWater Sampling Video
Sept. 25, 2018 --- Nearly 10 percent of Iowans receive their drinking water from private wells. Unlike water from municipal systems, there are no regulations that require private well owners to test their drinking water.

Requesting Cyclospora Testing at the State Hygienic Laboratory
July 19, 2018


Sending PCR Positive Cyclospora Samples to the State Hygienic Laboratory
July 19, 2018