Influenza A and B viruses are isolated in cell culture and are identified by immunofluorescence. Specimens of choice are nasopharyngeal swabs and aspirates. We serve the various offices of the WV Department of Health , including the Office of Maternal and Child Health, the county health departments, and STD clinics. We also provide reference testing for the private physicians and hospitals throughout the state. The HIV Unit performs serological testing for antibody to HIV-1 virus on patients requesting HIV tests.
Patient confidentiality is maintained by retaining only records of lab numbers instead of names.
We also assist the CDC and the state in tracking the AIDS epidemic in West Virginia. Samples submitted are blood, serum and plasma. We serve the CDC's Seroprevalence of Childbearing Women Programs, the WV Dept of Health, Office of Epidemiology, Bureau for Public Health, WV drug treatment facilities, Family Planning, STD control, Prenatal and hemophiliac clinics and correctional facilities. We provide Western blot reference testing to laboratories and hospitals in West Virginia.