Clinical Microbiology Division

Mycobacteriology/Tuberculosis Laboratory Section

State law requires laboratories to submit isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTBC) to the Mycobacteriology/Tuberculosis Section for genotyping. Drug susceptibility testing is performed on request for a fee for MTBC. Drug susceptibility testing may be repeated if the patient is still culture positive for MTBC after three months of therapy. Susceptibility testing for other Mycobacterial species is not performed. The laboratory also offers direct microscopic examination and culture of clinical specimens for primary identification of Mycobacteria species in cases referred by local health departments or the TB control program, (317) 233-7434.

Reference Microbiology Laboratory Section

The Reference Microbiology Section offers identification of selected vaccine preventable disease bacterial pathogens from human sources which are of public health importance. Only pure viable cultures of clinically significant bacterial isolates are accepted. These include isolates that Indiana State law requires to be submitted: Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae (specimens from patients 5 years old or younger) isolates from invasive disease. Grouping/typing is provided when appropriate. Please note: this Laboratory Section is not a general identification service for laboratories that provide human clinical specimen testing. To obtain approval to submit isolates or specimens, call the IDOH Infectious Disease, Epidemiology and Prevention Division at (317) 233-7125.

Serology Laboratory Section

The Serology Section offers serological analyses for infections of public health importance, including HIV, Hepatitis A, B, and C, and Syphilis. It also tests for antibodies to infections associated with vaccine-preventable diseases and vector-borne pathogens such as Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, West Nile Virus, and Arbovirus (WEE, EEE, SLE, CE).