The Diagnostic and Clinical Division (DCD) provides reference and diagnostic testing services for communicable diseases of public health significance to protect the citizens of Iowa. DCD testing supports numerous state and federal surveillance programs for antimicrobial resistance, health care acquired infections, respiratory pathogens, enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases.
DCD also performs newborn screening for genetic disorders and maternal screening for fetal development. DCD staff actively participate in epidemiologic investigations of food-borne and other infectious disease outbreaks, provide consultation for laboratory test interpretation and use, and quickly responds to emergencies such as biothreat incidents, natural disasters, and disease outbreaks.
