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Mayo Clinic Laboratories > Pediatrics > Infectious Diseases

Infectious Diseases

Elevate outcomes through expert-developed testing

Rising global temperatures have caused a shift in climate zones and triggered a migration of infectious disease-carrying species into previously uninhabitable climate zones,1 broadening the impact of the diseases they carry. For children who become infected with bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic pathogens — many of which are passed to humans by insects — early identification of the infectious agent enables rapid intervention to pave the way for healing.

Our internationally renowned clinical microbiology laboratories’ robust menu of infectious disease testing includes individual tests and panels that aid in diagnosing illnesses caused by insects, fungal species, and parasites.

Test menu

Fungal infections Fungal infections
Fungal infections

Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ fungal diagnostics test menu includes molecular and serological assays to aid in diagnosing a wide variety of fungal diseases, including those caused by Coccidioides posadasii/immitis, Histoplasma, Blastomyces, and Aspergillus, among others.

Gastrointestinal pathogens Gastrointestinal pathogens
Gastrointestinal pathogens

Our gastrointestinal pathogen panel is a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test capable of rapidly and qualitatively detecting the DNA or RNA of 22 pathogens.

Helicobacter pylori Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori

As the main cause of peptic ulcer disease and a major risk factor for gastric cancer, H. pylori can lead to life-threatening medical conditions if left untreated. Timely, accurate diagnosis of H. pylori is critical for improving patients’ gastrointestinal health and preventing further harm.

Mosquito-borne diseases Mosquito-borne diseases
Mosquito-borne diseases

We offer a comprehensive menu of individually orderable tests and panels for mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs). Additionally, our algorithmic approaches to MBD testing help reduce costs and optimize patient care.

Tick-borne diseases Tick-borne diseases
Tick-borne diseases

We offer a full menu of individual tests and panels that aid in the diagnosis of tick-borne diseases (TBDs). In addition to our comprehensive testing menu, we have developed multiple TBD testing algorithms, including modified two-tiered assays, to help guide and optimize diagnostic testing.

News and updates

The latest

Metagenomic sequencing: A revolutionary approach to aid in the diagnosis of serious and complex infections featured image
Metagenomic sequencing: A revolutionary approach to aid in the diagnosis of serious and complex infections

Join Mayo Clinic Laboratories for our webinar exploring the expanding role of precision diagnostics in the evaluation of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Focusing on metagenomic sequencing available from Mayo Clinic Laboratories, including the Karius Spectrum plasma test, which is offered by Mayo Clinic Laboratories in collaboration with Karius, participants will gain an overview of microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) metagenomic sequencing, including clinical decision-making around test ordering, appropriate clinical indications, and how to interpret and apply results to support timely diagnosis and patient management.

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Self-Collection Testing Expands to New Areas: Elitza Theel, Ph.D.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and Elitza Theel, Ph.D., director of the Infectious Diseases Serology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, discuss the latest developments in self-collection testing for women’s health and beyond.

Neurosyphilis antibody index assay

Breaking away from an 80-year-old testing approach used to identify neurosyphilis infections, Mayo Clinic Laboratories has introduced a new, highly sensitive and specific method to confirm disease presence. The innovative test – the only one of its kind available in the U.S. – is IgG antibody index that detects antibodies specific to the disease-causing agent Treponema pallidum.

Flesh-Eating Organisms Making the News: Bill Morice, M.D., Ph.D.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, discuss troublesome organisms making headlines.

Rabbits, Chikungunya, and More Viral News: Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., a microbiologist and virologist and chief scientific officer of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, discuss recent developments in viral infections.

How Investment Trends May Impact Clinical Diagnostics: Bill Morice, M.D., Ph.D.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, discuss summertime illnesses and key insights from a recent diagnostic investment event.

Quantitative Adenovirus Assay Better Informs Post-Transplant Care: Joseph Yao, M.D.

Joseph Yao, M.D., explains how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' new quantitative assay (Mayo ID: ADVQU) goes beyond qualitative testing to evaluate transplant patients for adenovirus infection. Adenovirus can cause life-threatening disease in immunocompromised transplant patients, especially children.

Laboratory Medicine Central to Tick-Borne Disease Response: Bill Morice, M.D., Ph.D.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss tick-borne diseases.

Significant Infectious Disease Activity Continues: Bill Morice, M.D., Ph.D.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss infectious disease activity around the nation.

The Impacts of STI Testing Innovation: Elitza Theel, Ph.D.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by Elitza Theel, Ph.D., director of the Infectious Diseases Serology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, for a conversation about innovation in testing for sexually transmitted infections (STI).

Guidance on subtyping of influenza A test results

Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ guidance for subtyping influenza A in response to a CDC advisory for hospitalized patients

Global Vigilance in Preventing Infectious Disease Outbreaks: Bill Morice, M.D., Ph.D.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss the latest in infectious disease outbreaks.

What’s Causing Outbreaks of Preventable Infectious Diseases: Bill Morice, M.D., Ph.D.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss recent outbreaks in vaccine-preventable diseases.

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References
  1. Philson C, Gray L, Pedroncelli L, Ota W. Mitigating climate change’s impact on tick-borne zoonotic disease emergence. J Sci Policy Gov. Vol. 19, Issue 1, Nov. 2021. https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG190109