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San Mateo County Health System
Helping San Mateo County residents live longer and better lives.
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El departamento de salud, Health System, ofrece muchos servicios en español y pronto estará traducido nuestro sitio web. Hasta entonces, le pedimos que llame a estos números para obtener más información sobre nuestros servicios y programas en español.

Encuentre un médico o reciba atención en el hospital, San Mateo Medical Center: (650) 573-2222

Servicios para adultos mayores y personas con discapacidades, incluidas la atención en casa, la protección contra abuso o robo, y provisión de comidas saludables: (800) 675-8437

Lab Services

Overview

Public Health Laboratory

Public Health Laboratory serves as a first line of defense to protect the public against communicable diseases and other health hazards. We provide clinical diagnostic testing, environmental testing, emergency response support, applied research, laboratory training and other essential services to the community in a respectful, timely and cost effective manner. Public Health Laboratory Microbiologists are highly educated specialists with knowledge of multiple scientific disciplines, advanced skills in laboratory practice and the ability to apply this expertise in clinical diagnosis.

General information

Clinical Test Information

UPDATES IN PROGRESS

General information

Walk-in Services

Arthropod/Insect Identification

Test fee is $25 per specimen. Public Health Laboratory can identify most medically important arthropods and insects, including ticks. Testing appropriate ticks for the presence of the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease is included in the fee. Please download and complete the Arthropod Test Request form.

Rabies Testing

Public Health Laboratory is providing rabies testing and work closely with Animal Control Division as well as Peninsula Humane Society (SPCA). Please download and complete the Animal Bite Report Form.

Water Testing

Membrane filtration for detection of coliforms in drinking water, testing for various indicator bacteria in soil and surface water samples, Coliform Presence/Absence Test, Nitrates & Nitrites. Please download and complete the Environmental Test Request Form..

General information

Testing

  1. Bacteriology
  • Enterics: Culture and isolation of salmonella, shigella, campylobacter, vibrio, yersinia, E. coli 0157:H7
  • Salmonella and shigella serogrouping
  • Streptococci isolation, identification, grouping
  • STDs: Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhoeae amplification
  1. Blood Lead Testing
  2. Molecular Test – RT-PCR
  • Influenza A & B, Sub-types: H1, H3 and H5
  • Herpes virus I & II
  • Norovirus
  • MRSA
  • Bordetella pertussis
  • C.difficile
  1. Mycobacteriology
  • Smears for AFB: once per day, 7 days a week
  • Amplification testing for M.tuberculosis: once per day as needed
  • Culture and identification of Mycobacteria via AccuProbe and AmplifiedMTD
  • Drug susceptibility testing of M.tuberculosis to primary treatment drugs
  • Quantiferon-TB Gold
  1. Mycology
  • Wet mounts for yeast and fungi
  • Isolation and identification of yeast and fungi
  • Referral of isolates to the State Laboratory
  1. Parasitology
  • Concentration and staining for ova and parasites
  • Blood smears for malaria and blood parasites
  • Identification of ticks and ectoparasites-Culture for Lyme Disease bacteria (walk-ins accepted - Arthropod Test Request form)
  • Identification of medically important arthropods/insects. (walk-ins accepted - Arthropod Test Request form)
  • E-histolytica and Cryptosporium/Giardia EIA
  • Pinworm identification
  1. Serology and Immunology
  • HIV-1: EIA, Western Blot, viral load testing
  • Syphilis serology: EIA, RPR, TP-PA
  • Hepatitis C: EIA and viral load testing
  1. Virology
  • Rabies: surveillance and diagnostic testing
  • R-Mix Culture for Influenza A&B, Adenovirus, RSV, Parainfluenza 1, 2 & 3
  • E-Mix Culture for Enteroviruses
  1. Water Tests (Walk-ins accepted)
  • Membrane filtration for detection of coliforms in drinking water
  • Testing for various indicator bacteria in soil and surface water samples
  • Coliform Presence/Absence Test
  • Entrolert
  • Physical properties includes color, odor and turbidity.
  • Anions including Nitrates, Nitrites, Fluoride, Chloride, Bromide, Sulfate, Ortho-phosphate.
  • Legionella Pneumophila for drinking water.

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