Infectious Disease Testing in Southern California
Infectious disease testing identifies the bacterial, viral, or fungal organism behind a patient’s presentation so treatment can be targeted instead of empiric. Pacific Medical Laboratory performs infectious disease testing at our CLIA Certified/Certification Irvine facility, combining molecular and serologic methods under one roof.
We support physicians throughout Orange County and surrounding Southern California, with approximately 95% of routine laboratory results completed within 24 hours.
Infectious Disease Testing We Provide
Our menu covers what physicians order most across both primary methods:
- Respiratory pathogen testing, including multi-pathogen panels
- Gastrointestinal pathogen testing, including ova and parasite examination
- Sexually transmitted infection screening and diagnostic testing
- Blood-borne and chronic viral infection testing, including quantitative viral load assays
- Antibody and antigen testing for exposure history and immune status
- On-site processing at our Irvine laboratory, with results released through the clinician portal
Two Methods, One Laboratory
Different clinical questions call for different approaches, and the right choice is not always obvious from the presentation alone. We run both primary methods in-house, and our laboratory team will help you choose.
Molecular Detection
PCR and amplification methods detect pathogen DNA or RNA directly, offering high sensitivity and early detection. This is often the first choice for respiratory pathogens, gastrointestinal pathogens, and sexually transmitted infections. Full method detail is on our molecular diagnostics page.
Serology & Antigen Testing
Antibody and antigen testing establishes exposure history, immune status, and stage of infection. These assays run through our immunoassay department and remain essential for chronic viral infections, immunity verification, and conditions where the organism itself is difficult to sample.
Choosing Between Them
Molecular testing answers whether the pathogen is present right now, and is more sensitive early in infection or when organism load is low. Serology answers whether the patient has been exposed and at what stage. Many presentations call for both, and ordering the wrong one first usually costs a repeat collection.
CLIA Certified / Certification Standards on Every Specime
Infectious disease results drive immediate prescribing decisions, so speed and reliability carry real clinical weight. Pacific Medical Laboratory is CLIA Certified/Certification, runs current-generation instrumentation, and completes approximately 95% of routine laboratory results within 24 hours.
Board-certified pathologists and laboratory scientists oversee testing and quality standards. Specimen pickup runs through our own courier service, so practices collecting in-house are not depending on a third party to protect specimen integrity.
When something needs a conversation, a person at the laboratory answers the phone. We also adapt to how your practice runs, customizing collection, pickup schedules, and reporting rather than handing you a fixed process. For routine bloodwork ordered alongside an infectious workup, our core laboratory testing runs in the same facility, so a single collection usually covers both.
Serving Orange County & Surrounding Southern California
Headquartered in Irvine, we support infectious disease testing throughout Orange County and surrounding Southern California communities. Patients can be collected at any of our 15+ draw stations across the region, in your office, or at home through our mobile phlebotomy service for homebound and elderly patients.
We also receive referral specimens from healthcare providers in Washington, Virginia, and Nevada.
How Testing Gets Ordered & Resulted
Provider Order
A licensed provider completes a signed laboratory order or requisition specifying the tests requested. Where the clinical picture is unclear, call us and our team will help you choose between molecular and serologic approaches before anyone is stuck with the wrong specimen.
Collect the Specimen
Collection happens at a draw station, in your office, or at the patient's home. Specimen type matters considerably in infectious disease work, so confirm requirements before the draw.
Laboratory Processing
Specimens are processed at our Irvine facility on the appropriate platform for the assay ordered, under CLIA Certified/Certification quality controls.
Result Delivery
Verified results release to the ordering provider through the clinician portal, with approximately 95% of routine results completed within 24 hours. Critical results are communicated according to established notification protocols.
Infectious Disease Testing FAQ's
Below are answers to common questions about infectious disease testing at Pacific Medical Laboratory.
How quickly will I get infectious disease test results?
Approximately 95% of routine laboratory results are completed within 24 hours. A smaller number of higher-complexity assays run 3 to 5 business days. The expected turnaround for each test is listed against it in our test directory.
Should I order molecular or serologic infectious disease testing?
Molecular testing detects the organism directly and is more sensitive early in infection, while serology tells you about exposure, immunity, and stage. Many presentations call for both. Call the laboratory and our team will advise on the right combination for the clinical picture.
Do patients need a doctor's order for infectious disease testing?
Yes. Infectious disease testing requires an order from a licensed healthcare provider. Patients can bring a signed requisition to any of our draw stations across Southern California, and homebound patients can be collected at home through mobile phlebotomy.
Can specimens be picked up from our clinic?
Yes. We run our own courier service with scheduled pickup for provider clients. Pickup schedules are built around your practice hours rather than a fixed route. Contact us to set one up.
Do you accept infectious disease specimens from other states?
Yes. We receive referral specimens from healthcare providers in Washington, Virginia, and Nevada. Contact us to establish an account and confirm shipping and stability requirements for the assays you order.
Faster Infectious Disease Testing, Backed by People Who Answer
When a patient is waiting on a treatment decision, the distance between the collection site and the laboratory matters, and so does whether anyone picks up when you call. Pacific Medical Laboratory keeps molecular and serologic infectious disease testing in one CLIA Certified/Certification Irvine facility, with board-certified pathologist oversight and courier coverage throughout Southern California.
Contact our laboratory team to discuss testing for your practice or set up an account. Explore our full specialty testing menu, or find your nearest draw station.