Serum is required. Our specimen requirement for serological testing is 2ml [minimum 0.5, but this amount may be insufficient for repeat testing of serum.
Serum should be collected in a red-top tube, serum-separator tube (SST), or a tiger top tube. Please centrifuge the specimen, and if possible, send serum only. If using a plain red top, you must separate serum.
Specimens should be sent using an overnight courier such as FedEx or UPS. Please note that we do not pay for shipping (unless previously agreed under special circumstances).
Serum specimens can be sent at ambient temperature as long as the sample is sent to us overnight. However, if shipping of the sample is delayed or the sample is going to be stored, serum should be sent on cold ice packs or stored frozen.
The Remington Laboratory is closed on weekends and holidays. It is recommended to not to ship on a Friday or the day before any holiday.
If you’re sending multiples samples, please be sure to place PCR specimens in separate biohazard bags to avoid contamination. All samples received for PCR testing will be prepared for testing, and will not be suitable for return. (Please see PCR Specimen requirements for shipping conditions)
Yes. A serum specimen should ideally accompany PCR test requests for any patient not recently tested in our laboratory.
The minimum requests for serologic testing should include IgG and IgM. There is an additional charge for testing this serum.
For charges, please see our current fee schedule.
Interpretation of the clinical significance of PCR results will be enhanced if results of serologic testing of the patient’s serum in our laboratory is available to our medical consultant.
We cannot bill insurance or the patient directly. We can only bill the hospital, doctor or laboratory where the specimen originated. Another option is for the patient to include a personal check or money order along with the specimen. These latter patients will receive a paid receipt after testing is completed. Please be aware, if your patient’s check does not clear, or if there is a remaining balance, the ordering physician is responsible for all charges.
New York State law prohibits us from billing New York State physicians directly. Therefore, all patients from New York whose specimens are sent to us by a private physician must include a check or money order.
It is necessary to test the mother’s serum in parallel with the infant’s in order to compare antibody titers produced by each. Passive IgG antibodies (from the mother) will decrease by about 50% in the infants’ serum each month. Testing the serum of an infant who has IgG antibodies for T. gondii every 1 – 2 months will aid in determining if the baby is producing its own antibodies.
We accept checks or money orders. We also accept credit cards (VISA and MASTERCARD only). Please be informed that if patient’s check does not clear or if credit card payment has been declined, the ordering physician/laboratory where specimens originated will be responsible for the charges. (Please see Billing Information)
Send all specimens to:
Dr. Jack S. Remington Laboratory for Specialty Diagnostics
795 El Camino Real, Ames Building
Palo Alto, CA 94301
| Dates | Holidays | Remington lab status | Open to receive samples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2024 | New Year’s Day* | Closed | No |
| Jan 15, 2024 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day* | Closed | No |
| Feb 19, 2024 | President's Day* | Closed | No |
| May 27, 2024 | Memorial Day* | Closed | No |
| July 4, 2024 | Independence Day* | Closed | No |
| July 5, 2024 | Independence Day* | Closed | No |
| Sept 2, 2024 | Labor Day* | Closed | No |
| Nov 27, 2024 Nov 28, 2024 Nov 29, 2024 | Thanksgiving** | Closing at 2:00 pm Closed Closed | Yes No No |
| Dec 24, 2024 Dec 25, 2024 Dec 31, 2024 | Christmas Eve⸙Christmas⸙ New Year’s Eve⸙ | Closing at 2:00 pm Closed Closing at 2:00 pm | Yes No Yes |
Please note that we are closed Saturday and Sunday. To ensure specimen integrity, we recommend specimens are not shipped to arrive on weekends or holidays.
*Martin Luther King, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day
- Monday: Closed for observance of Martin Luther King, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day
- Toxoplasma Serology tests: IgG (Dye test), Alternative IgG, Remington IgM ELISA, Alternative IgM, Remington IgM ISAGA, AC/HS, Remington IgA ELISA, Remington IgE ELISA.
Specimens received by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, will be tested that day. Verbal results will be available by 1:00 pm the following day. Avidity will be performed and released on Wednesday. Specimens received by 12:00 pm on Thursday will be tested that day for IgG (Dye Test), Alternative IgG, Remington IgM ELISA, Alternative IgM, Remington IgM ISAGA, AC/HS, Remington IgA ELISA, Remington IgE ELISA. Verbal results will be available by 1:00 pm the following day. Avidity will be performed and released on Friday. - Toxoplasma PCR: Specimens received by 12:00 pm on the Friday before the Monday holiday will have verbal results available by 1:00 pm the Tuesday following the holiday. Specimens received by 12:00 pm on Wednesday will have verbal results available the following day by 1:00 pm.
- Covid PCR: Specimens received by 12:00pm Monday-Friday will be tested that day. Results are available within 48 hours.
**Independence Day, Thanksgiving Holiday
- Monday through Tuesday: Routine testing schedule
- Toxoplasma Serology tests: Specimens received by 12:00 pm on Monday will be tested that day. Verbal results will be available by 1:00 pm the following day. Specimens received by 12:00 pm on Wednesday will be tested the Tuesday following the holiday.
- Toxoplasma PCR: Specimens received by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, July 2, and November 26 will have verbal results available by 1:00 pm the following day.
- Covid PCR: Specimens received by 12:00pm Monday-Wednesday will be tested that day. Results are available within 48 hours.
Thursday through Friday: Closed for observance of Thanksgiving.
⸙Christmas and New Year’s Day
- Monday through Tuesday: Routine testing schedule
Toxoplasma Serology tests: Specimens received by 12:00 pm on Monday will be tested that day. Verbal results will be available by 1:00 pm the following day. Specimens received by 12:00 pm on Tuesday will be tested the Thursday following the holiday. Verbal results will be available by 1:00 pm the following day. - Toxoplasma PCR: Specimens received by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, December 24, and December 31, will have verbal results available by 1:00 pm the Thursday following the holiday.
- Covid PCR: Specimens received by 12:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday will be tested that day. Results are available within 48 hours.
- Wednesday: Closed for observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Routine Test Schedule
- Toxoplasma Serology tests: IgG (Dye test), Remington IgM ELISA, Remington IgM ISAGA, Remington IgA ELISA, Remington IgE ELISA, AC/HS, Avidity
Specimens received by 12:00 pm on Monday and Wednesday will be tested that day. Verbal results are available by 3:00 pm the following day. Specimens received by noon on Thursday will be tested for IgG (Dye Test), Remington IgM ELISA, and Avidity only that day. Verbal results are available by 3:00 pm the following day. - Toxoplasma PCR: Specimens received by noon on Tuesday will have verbal results available by 3:00 pm the following day. Specimens received by noon on Friday will have verbal results available by 3:00 pm the following Monday.
- Toxoplasma Isolation: Final results are available approximately six weeks from the date received.
Note: To ensure the quality of test results, repeat testing is sometimes required. This may delay reporting of results.