Immunology

The Immunology Section performs testing of specimens submitted by public health and private providers for infectious diseases such as syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis. Testing for measles, mumps, and rubella to support disease surveillance and outbreak investigations is performed. Uncommon or emerging pathogens such as hantavirus are tested for in this laboratory. The laboratory acts as a liaison to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for infectious disease testing that is not available elsewhere in Utah.

Immunology uses the detection of antigens or antibodies to diagnose disease.  Antigens are substances (in this case bacteria or viruses) which when introduced into an animal or human cause the formation of gamma globulin proteins or antibodies which will react with the antigen.  This reaction can be used to determine the presence of disease or immunity to certain organisms. Listed below are the tests performed in the immunology lab at the Utah State Health Department.

HIV/AIDS

• Screening Elisa for Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1
• Confirmatory Western Blot Test

If you are concerned or would like more information about HIV or AIDS  please contact Randy with state Counseling and Testing  at 538-6096 or the SL County STD Clinic at 534-4572.

HEPATITIS

• Hepatitis B surface antigen
• Hepatitis B surface antibodies

SYPHILIS

• RPR screening
• DS-FTA confirmatory

MEASLES

• Rubeola - for the use in epidemiological studies only, this tests for the presence of Immunoglobulin M
• Rubella - for use in epidemiological studies only, this tests for the presence of Immunoglobulin M

HANTAVIRUS

• This test is for antibodies to Sin Nombre Virus the causative agent of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome