Microbiology performs testing in several areas: bacteriology, parasitology, mycobacteriology and mycology. The section isolates, identifies and characterizes pathogens, and performs confirmatory testing of suspect agents of bioterrorism. The Hygienic Laboratory is the only laboratory in Iowa that performs many specialized public health tests such as enteric organisms serotyping, rabies testing associated with human exposure, and Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis as a member of the CDC’s PulseNet program.

PulseNet connects foodborne illness cases by DNA “fingerprinting” of the bacteria to detect and define local and multi-state foodborne outbreaks. The Hygienic Laboratory is also a member of the Laboratory Response Network, which responds quickly to biological, chemical and radiological threats and other high priority public health emergencies.