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The following are the tests that are performed in the Serology Department.  The information given is the type of test, what it tests for, type of specimen needed, and the turn-around time for test results.

AIDS Serology

HIV-I EIA
Detects antibody for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-I). We do not test for HIV-2
Tests performed by EIA (enzyme immunoassay) 
Serum specimen 
Turn-around time: 2 days (test performed daily) 

HIV-I Western Blot
Detects antibody for HIV-I by the presence of (HIV-I) specific protein bands 
Serum specimen - Performed only if EIA is repeatedly reactive 
Turn-around time: 3 days (test performed twice a week) 

Enterovirus Serology

In the case of Enterovirus Serology, tests are performed only if all three of the following conditions are met: Acute specimen is collected, convalescent specimen is collected at least 2 weeks after the acute, and virus has been isolated.  Antigen from virus isolation is used for serologic test, therefore if no antigen has been isolated, no serological test can be performed. 

Tests performed by Complement Fixation 
Serum specimen 
Turn-around time: 48 hours 

Fungal Serology

Coccidioides Immitis (Valley Fever) is tested by CF, IDCF and IDTP Complement Fixation (CF) Test
Detects IgG antibodies for specific Coccy F Antigen 
Serum, CSF and other body fluids (pleural, synovial, peritoneal and joint fluids) can be used to perform a CF test.  The serum should be tested in all suspected or confirmed cases of Coccidioidomycosis. 
Turn-around time: 48 hours 

IDCF (Immunodiffusion for Complement Fixation Antibody) Test
Detects Complement Fixation Antibody (IgG-specific) 
Serum specimen in correlation with Complement Fixation test. 
Turn-around time: One week 

IDTP (Immunodiffusion for the Tube Precipitin Antibody) Test
Detects Tube Precipitin Antibody (IgM-specific) 
Serum specimen 
Turn-around time: One week 

Histoplasma Complement Fixation (CF) Test
Detects Histoplasma antibodies to both yeast and mycelial phase 
Serum specimen 
Turn-around time: 48 hours 

Immunodiffusion tests (h,m bands) are also performed on serum specimens.

Syphilis Serology

Serum VDRL or CSF VDRL 
 
VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory Slide) Test 
Detects non-treponemal antibodies associated with syphilis infection. 
 
Serum or CSF (Do not take blood within 1 hour after eating to avoid chylous serum) 
Turn-around time: 3 days 

MHA-TP (Micro-hemagglutination test for Treponema pallidum) and FTA-ABS-DS (Fluorescent Treponemal antibody-Absorption-Double Stain) Test 
Detects treponemal antibodies associated with syphilis infection. 
Serum specimen 
Turn-around time: 2 days 
Either MHA or FTA are performed only if the serum VDRL is weakly reactive, reactive or if specifically requested in writing by the doctor (suspects neurosyphilis, etc.). These tests are not performed on CSF specimens.