Laboratory Services Section

Directory of DSHS Lab Tests 
and Specimen Requirements

If you don't find what you are looking for here, the Lab Search Page may help. 

Lab Guide Tutorials
Links to interactive tutorials on Submitting Rabies Specimens to the DSHS Lab, THSteps Fingerstick Blood Specimen Collection, THSteps Venipuncture Blood Specimen Collection, and Packaging and Shipment of Blood Tubes. The tutorials are also available in PDF format.  

Arbovirus Field Surveillance Techniques
Mosquito specimen collection, handling and shipment.

Bacteriology Collection, Transport and storage guidelines 
Guidelines for bacteriological specimen collection and submission.

Clinical Bacteriology Tests
Types of organisms tested, submission guidelines and test information.  

Consumer Microbiology
Includes Frequently Asked Questions for water, milk, and food testing.

Consumer Microbiology Forms and Available Tests
Testing methods for water, milk, and food; water test form.

Consumer Microbiology Specimen Collection & Handling
Collection and handling information for water, milk, and food specimens.

From the Manual of Reference Services:

• Guidelines for Specimen Shipping and Mailing

Lab Tests for Diseases/Agents:

• Biochemistry and Genetics Tests
• Environmental Tests
• Microbiology Tests

See also:

• Fecal specimens for bacteriological culturing
• Fecal specimens for intestinal parasites
• Fecal specimens for viral isolation 
• Prenatal Triple Screen Collection and Packing Instructions 
• Rabies specimens
• Serological Testing
• Specimen management for infrequently encountered organisms
• Sputum

Molecular and Serological Analysis Group Tests
This page lists the tests performed by the Diagnostic Serology Team. There are links to descriptions of the diseases, as well as links to descriptions of the assays used.

Mycobacteriology Guidelines for Specimen Collection, Transport, Storage and Submission
Types of specimens tested; collection, transportation and storage guidelines from Mycobacteriology. 

From the DSHS Newborn Screening Program:

• Newborn Screening specimen collection requirements 
• Newborn Screening specimen collection and handling 

Prenatal Testing Laboratory 
Prenatal test requirements, specimen storage and shipping.

Rabies Testing
Rabies specimen delivery, submission, shipping and handling guidelines. Test turnaround time,  reporting and interpretation of results, emergency testing,  Link to Rabies Submission Form.

Texas Health Steps specimen collection and handling
Suggestions and tips for THS blood specimens.

Viral Testing
Testing methods; specimen selection, collection, transport and handling from the Viral Isolation Team.

Viral Specimen Collection by Type of Specimen

Viral Specimen Selection Based on Clinical Symptoms

Last Updated April 7, 2006