To submit specimens for any microbiological agent or serologic test, you'll need to complete and submit the Microbiological Services Test Request Form.

To submit specimens for Covid-19 testing with prior approval from the Westchester County Department of Health, you’ll need to complete and submit the Covid-19 test form.

To submit specimens for vaccine preventable disease with prior approval from the Westchester County Department of Health, you’ll need to complete and submit the VPD Test Request Form.

To submit specimens for a GI Outbreak with prior approval by Westchester County Department of Health, you’ll need to complete and submit the GI Outbreak Test Request Form.

To test for specific enviromental pathogens, call (914) 231-1610

Through the Laboratory Information System (LIS), statistical reports are generated which help in the tracking of patients for disease control. Disease surveillance is an important public health function in controlling the spread of communicable diseases.

The data generated through LIS is shared with Westchester County Department of Health, New York State Department of Health and other facilities in tracking patients for TB, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Influenza and more.

Foodborne and waterborne disease outbreaks are investigated in collaboration with the Westchester County Department of Health. Laboratory investigations are essential component of disease surveillance in investigating food or water related outbreaks.

Rubella, Measles and Chicken Pox outbreaks are investigated in collaboration with the Westchester County Department of Health. Sporadic outbreaks occur in the county due to lack of or insufficient immunity in certain groups of individuals.

 

Tuberculosis
The laboratory takes pride in offering rapid, accurate and quality TB testing. The laboratory offers laboratory testing for TB without charge to area hospitals. . Identification of M. tuberculosis, AFB smears, first line drug susceptibility testing  as well as rapid nucleic acid testing is also performed in this laboratory. With the increase in immunocompromised individuals and their risk of acquiring TB, the vigilance for TB monitoring has increased considerably. Drug resistant TB has a potential of causing a great harm to public health. Early detection and follow up has enabled the County to regain control of this disease and reverse the increase in incidence. The TB laboratory testing service is provided free to all Westchester County residents. For additional information or questions, contact (914) 231-1757.

HIV
HIV infection remains a great public health threat in the United States. Although newer anti HIV drugs are becoming available, the need for testing for HIV remains very high. This laboratory performs HIV 4th generation screening and supplemental HIV testing with a quick turn-around time. Patient confidentiality is maintained to conform to New York State laws and guidelines. . For additional information or questions, contact (914) 231-1760.

Syphilis
The laboratory performs  diagnostic testing for  syphilis in Westchester County. Syphilis testing is performed using the RPR method for screening and TPPA testing for confirmation. These tests are performed either on serum specimens. All patient results and demographic data are stored in the LIS and statistical reports are generated for Westchester County Department of Health to help control this disease in the County. For additional information or questions, contact (914) 231-1758.

Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted disease. This infection is symptomatic in both male and females. The laboratory performs both culture and NAA molecular testing. The laboratory helps the Westchester County Department of Health in tracking this disease for implementing control measures.  For additional information or questions, contact (914) 231-1759.

Chlamydia
Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common organisms associated with sexually transmitted diseases. Most infected individuals carry the organism asymptomatically and spread it unintentionally by sexual contact. The laboratory performs both Chlamydia NAA testing and culture isolation tests. Statistical reports are generated for monitoring the incidence in the population at risk. The data is shared with Westchester County Department of Health for disease tracking among individuals at risk.   For additional information or questions please contact (914) 231-1759.

Herpes
Herpes Simplex virus is a common virus isolated in the laboratory.  Most people have latent infection of HSV.   It is usually acquired as a primary infection during childhood or adolescent stage. It is often transmitted by sexual contact. Both Herpes Simplex type 1 and type 2 are detected by culture isolation and shell vial tests. Generally the results are reported within 24-48 hours. Pregnant women with active genital Herpes can pass the infection to the new-borne causing life threatening complications. Herpes Simplex viruses are also associated with non-genital infections. For additional information or questions please contact (914) 231-1760.

Giardia
Giardia duodenalis is a flagellate that inhabits the intestinal tract. Giardiasis is acquired by ingestion of the parasite most commonly through a contaminated water supply. The incubation period varies from a few days to a few weeks. Diagnosis is generally established by submission of a stool specimen to the laboratory for microscopic and immunofluorescence testing. Results can be  provided within a few hours. Three specimens over a five day period are necessary to rule out Giardiasis. For additional information or questions please contact (914) 231-1759.

Cyclospora
Cyclospora is a  coccidia that has received much public attention through media reports in the past. Epidemiologic investigations have implicated imported raspberries as the vehicle for its transmission in certain parts of the U.S. This organism still has an unknown lifecycle. It causes severe watery diarrhea. Specimens submitted for detection of Cyclospora are tested by microscopic examination using a direct wet mount, concentrated wet mount and modified acid fast stain. For additional information or questions please contact (914) 231-1759.

Cryptosporidium
Waterborne outbreaks of Cryptosporidium have become an increasing public health problem. Untreated surface water, some public water supplies and contaminated wells have been associated with this parasite. Farm animals have also been associated with large outbreaks. This parasite is acquired by ingestion of the oocysts. Laboratory detection is accomplished from stool examination by wet mounts, modified acid fast stain, and immunofluorescence testing.. All stool specimens submitted for parasitology in our laboratory are tested for this organism using these procedures. . Most often, Cryptosporidiosis is self-limiting. In the very young, old or immunocompromised, the disease could be more serious. For additional information or questions please contact (914) 231-1759.

Influenza
Culture tests are performed to isolate and confirm the presence of Influenza and other respiratory viruses. Influenza virus identifications are conducted in collaboration with CDC and WHO for the prevalence of new strains in the area. The testing for 2009 pandemic H1N1 (swine flu) was immediately implemented using PCR and culture to manage the H1N1 pandemic. Molecular testing continues to be available for epidemiological testing. The data is shared with the county, state and federal agencies for epidemiological investigations; and for the formulation of vaccines in the following years. For additional information or questions please contact (914) 231-1760.

Food-borne Illnesses
Salmonella, Shigella, Listeria, Campylobacter, Vibrio,  E. coli 0157:H7 are a few of the bacterial pathogens tested in food-borne outbreaks. The illnesses these organisms cause are seen sporadically throughout the year. Most of these organisms are passed to individuals by improper food handling or poor hygiene. As a result food becomes contaminated and are ingested resulting in food-borne illness. When food-borne outbreaks are suspected, specimens are submitted for testing by the Westchester County Department of Health.   Often stool specimens from those infected or suspected carriers are submitted to help determine the index case and source of contamination.  For additional information or questions please contact (914) 231-1610.

Norovirus
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone can get infected and sick with Norovirus.   The laboratory performs molecular testing for the identification and differentiation of Norovirus genogroup I and genogroup II RNA from raw or unpreserved unformed stool specimens.

Water Pathogens
The laboratory performs testing for Legionella in potable and non-potable water in response to outbreaks and in coordination with the Westchester County Department of Health. This organism has the potential of causing major outbreaks of public health significance. The laboratory is ELITE certified to test for Legionella. For more information  please call the Microbiology Laboratory at 914-231-1610.

Diagnostic Immunology
In addition to Syphilis, diagnostic assays such as ELISA are performed for detection of antibodies ( IgG & IgM ) to various infectious agents. The presence of antibodies generally indicates recent or past exposure to infection, or response to vaccination. The assays are performed for Measles, Mumps and Varicella (chicken pox). For additional information or questions, contact (914) 231-1760.

Laboratory Response Network
This laboratory is the LRN Level B laboratory for the detection of select agents and serves as the reference laboratory for seven counties in the lower Hudson Valley. This includes: Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, Sullivan and Ulster Counties. The laboratory works closely with the FBI to test powder and other submissions to test for select agents and toxins.

Other Organisms

The laboratory provides testing for a variety of other bacteria, viruses and parasites. Some of these include bacteria such as Staph, E.coli, and Pseudomonas, viruses such as Adenovirus, Enterovirus, CMV, and parasites such as tapeworm, roundworm and amebiasis.

The Microbiology laboratory provides training to the residents and fellows of New York Medical College and Westchester Medical Center. Training involves laboratory diagnosis of viruses, mycobacteria (TB), and sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Residents and fellows spend up to a month receiving training, which is part of the rotation in preparation for board certification.

New employees and employees, who are reassigned to different work areas, receive on-site training. The laboratory has an ongoing, continuous education program for all employees in various disciplines of microbiology. Annual training is also provided in the safe handling of blood-borne pathogens and in radiation, chemical, and fire safety.

Confidentiality training for protected health information, related to HIPPA requirements, is required of all existing and new staff members.

 

 

 

 

Legionella Testing
Persons suspected to be suffering with Legionnaire’s disease should be asked to submit the following specimens:

  • Respiratory specimen (bronchial wash, trans tracheal wash, bronchio alveolar lavage or sputum) for culture and direct fluorescent test
  • Facilities water testing for Legionelle is also available

Respiratory specimens for culture isolation are preferred. Urine for Legionella Urinary antigen test should always be accompanied by blood for IgG/IgM test.

TB Testing Upgrades
New methodologies includign PCR for TB and rifampicin resistant TB have been recently added.

Chlamydia/Gonorrhea Testing
Nucleic acid application technology for enhanced sensitivity and specificity for chlamydia and gonorrhea diagnosis has been implemented.