Serology

Syphilis testing at UPHL is based on the reverse algorithm opens in a new tab. This includes:

• a screening ELISA assay aimed at detecting IgG antibodies against trepanomal antigens
• the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) assay, as a non-trepanomal confirmatory assay, that measures immunoreactivity against cardiolipin
• the Trepanoma pallidum Particle Agglutination (TPPA) assay, measuring total antibodies against trepanomal antigens.

For Syphilis testing fees, please see our fee schedule opens in a new tab. Please see our Infectious Disease Client Services Manual opens in a new tab if you have any questions about tests or specimen submission. You can also call the lab at (801) 965-2584.

HIV testing opens in a new tab is based on an algorithm that includes: 

• a serologic combined screening test aimed at detecting HIV1/2 antibodies as well as the p24 antigen
• a confirmatory immuno-assay that can discriminate HIV-1 and HIV-2 reactivities
• a third NAT test specific for HIV-1 or HIV-2

UPHL employs a chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA) for the first test and a lateral flow immunochromatography assay (Biorad, Geenius) for the confirmatory differentiation assay.

When necessary, the HIV-1 or HIV-2 NAT tests are referred to the Florida and New York Public Health Labs, which is free of charge, as their operations are supported by CDC.

We can assist in blood-borne pathogen exposures when an emergency first responder or a "good samaritan" is exposed to a deceased individual whose body has been held at the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner opens in a new tab. In that case, UPHL will perform HIV testing on the deceased individual's blood.

For HIV testing fees, please see our fee schedule opens in a new tab. Please see our Infectious Disease Client Services Manual opens in a new tab if you have any questions about tests or specimen submission. You can also call the lab at (801) 965-2584.

Immunological assays are commonly used to monitor the course of HBV infections opens in a new tab.

UPHL currently offers two chemiluminescent immune assay (CIA) tests to measure antibodies against the HBV surface antibody (HBsAb) and the surface antigen (HBsAg).

We can assist in blood-borne pathogen exposures when an emergency first responder or a "good samaritan" is exposed to a deceased individual whose body has been held at the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner opens in a new tab. In that case, UPHL will perform the HBsAg test on the deceased individual's blood.

For HBV testing fees, please see our fee schedule opens in a new tab. Please see our Infectious Disease Client Services Manual opens in a new tab if you have any questions about tests or specimen submission. You can also call the lab at (801) 965-2584.

Hepatitis C testing opens in a new tab is based on a two-step algorithm involving a serological assay for the detection of anti-HCV IgG antibodies and confirmation using a NAT assay.

UPHL currently employs a chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA) in-house and an FDA-approved quantitative RT-PCR test (Abott) as a referral test.

We can assist in blood-borne pathogen exposures when an emergency first responder or a "good samaritan" is exposed to a deceased individual whose body has been held at the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner opens in a new tab. In that case, UPHL will perform HCV testing on the deceased individual's blood.

For HCV testing fees, please see our fee schedule opens in a new tab. Please see our Infectious Disease Client Services Manual opens in a new tab if you have any questions about tests or specimen submission. You can also call the lab at (801) 965-2584.

The microbial serology section performs antibody testing for a number of flaviviruses. These tests are free of charge but they need to be authorized by the Utah Department of Health opens in a new tab

• We perform IgM ELISA for Zika.
  
  
• We also perform a multiplex bead-based assay for the detection of IgM antibodies against the Saint Luis Encephalitis Virus and West Nile Virus.

Positive or equivocal results in any of these flavivirus-specific immunoassays are referred to the CDC for confirmation using a Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) opens in a new tab

Serology is the gold standard for Hantavirus diagnosis. UPHL employs an ELISA test developed at CDC to detect IgG and IgM antibodies against the Sin Nombre Virus.

For Hantavirus serology testing fees, please see our fee schedule. Please see our Infectious Disease Client Services Manual opens in a new tab if you have any questions about tests or specimen submission. You can also call the lab at (801) 965-2584.

Quantiferon opens in a new tab is an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) that detects the interferon produced by white blood cells in response to stimulation with Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens. UPHL employs the most updated version of the test QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus.

The specific blood collection tubes can be ordered through this link: Supply Ordering opens in a new tab or call (801) 965-2400.

For Quantiferon testing fees, please see our Fee Schedule. Please see our Infectious Disease Client Services Manual opens in a new tab if you have any questions about tests or specimen submission. You can also call the lab at (801) 965-2584.