The Pediatric Microbiology Laboratory performs testing to aid in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Our laboratory is on the leading edge of test development and has implemented the most cutting edge technologies for detection and identification of bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. Of note we were one of the early adopters of Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-tie of flight (MALDI-TOF_) technology for the identification of yeast and bacteria. Susceptibility testing is performed on disease-causing organisms to guide antibiotic treatment.

In collaboration with our Advanced Diagnostics division our laboratory continually develops and implements molecular testing assays. Our menu of molecular tests now includes the FilmArray Respiratory Viral Panel (RVP), quantitative EBV, CMB, Adenovirus, and BK virus PCR, Bordetella pertussis/parapertussis PCR, HSV PCR (blood, CSF, vesicle fluid), C. difficile Toxin B PCR, and Enterovirus PCR from CSF.

Faculty

Laura Filkins, Ph.D.

• Assistant Professor
• Director of Microbiology
• Children’s Health℠
• Laura.Filkins@UTSouthwestern.edu
• Publications

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