Laboratory Diagnostics
In our diagnostic laboratory, we carry out over 40,000 special tests in infectious diseases and tropical medicine every year for external senders, clinics and doctors throughout Germany, as well as for patients at the institute's own outpatient clinic. We use both classical bacteriological and parasitological methods as well as the latest immunological and molecular biological methods.
The tests we offer can be billed to all patients insured with statutory health insurance companies by means of a referral slip (laboratory request).
Please note:
- our information for referring doctors, clinics and institutes
- our instructions in the preanalytics manual (available in German only)
Our diagnostic laboratories are accredited by the German accreditation body (DAkkS) in accordance with DIN EN ISO 15189:2024. Here you will find further information about our quality management.
Our service for referrers
Our range of services includes microscopic, cultural, serological and molecular biological examination procedures for the direct and indirect detection of bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. The available diagnostic procedures for specific pathogens are listed individually in the list of diseases. For patients of the department's own outpatient clinic, orienting clinical-chemical and hematological examinations are also carried out (not for external senders).
Downloads (available in German only)
Contact us
Laboratory Diagnostics, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine
Unit Head: Prof. Dr. med. Gisela Bretzel
80802 München
Submission of test samples*
Monday - Thursday:
8 a.m. - 4.45 p.m.
Friday:
8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
*by prior appointment by telephone: 089 4400-59872
Laboratory investigations (further information available in German only)
List of diseases (further information available in German only)
- Afrikanische Trypanosomiasis
- Amerikanische Trypanosomiasis (Chagas Krankheit)
- Amöbiasis
- Babesiose
- Buruli Ulkus
- Chagas Krankheit (Amerikanische Trypanosomiasis)
- Chikungunya-Fieber
- COVID-19
- Cyclosporiasis
- Dengue-Fieber
- Echinokokkose
- Fasciolose
- Filariose
- Filariose lymphatische
- Filariose: Onchozerkose
- Gnathostomiasis
Notes on the List of Services
In some cases, only the diagnostic objective (e.g. Serology: Echinococcosis) can be specified on the request form, rather than individual test parameters. Diagnostic algorithms—such as the use of different test systems and the sequential application of tests for confirmation or further differentiation—ensure the highest possible sensitivity and specificity of the result.
Some of the offered tests are performed using internally validated methods (non-CE marked tests).
For special diagnostic questions beyond routine diagnostics, non-accredited specialized examinations may be performed after consultation.
Tests marked with (*) are currently not performed in-house and are forwarded to accredited or specialized subcontractors. A list of the current subcontractors can be provided upon request. If appropriate and feasible, we are happy to provide information on the measurement uncertainty of individual examinations.
Information for Laboratory Sample Submitters - referring doctors, clinics and institutes
Please note: Samples may only be submitted or sent upon prior medical prescription or referral.
Sample collection: Information on sample collection, transport, analysis frequency, preparation of blood smears and thick drops for malaria diagnostics can be found in the pre-analytics manual. For special examinations, please contact us by telephone before collecting the samples.
Information on parasitological blood tests, bacteriological and parasitological stool examinations, serology, as well as special examinations and molecular biological examinations can be found in the request form.You can find more information about visiting the outpatient clinic here.
Times for handing in test samples:
Monday to Thursday: 8 am - 4.45 pm (stool samples only Monday to Thursday: 8 am - 11 am)
Friday: 8 am - 2 pm (bacteriological and parasitological stool samples only in emergencies on Friday mornings)
In urgent cases, rapid tests are possible for some examinations after consultation by telephone (089 4400-59872) (results on the same day). In emergencies outside office hours (at night and at weekends), please contact the 24-hour emergency service for infectious diseases and tropical diseases (accessible via the Central Emergency Department on the City Center Campus, Tel.: 089 4400-31100).
- For outpatients with health insurance a referral slip can be used for one or more examinations.
- For private patients, the invoice is sent directly to the patient. The patient's full address is required for this.
- Clinics are billed directly.
- For other payers, please state the exact name and full address.
- Please note that antibody diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is not covered by health insurance, but is a private service (see COVID-19 serology price overview). Therefore, it is not possible to bill via a health insurance voucher.
Information on diagnostic research (working group "Neglected Mycobacterial Diseases", Prof. Dr. med. Gisela Bretzel) and other research laboratories at the Institute (immunological research, SARS-CoV-2 laboratory, clinical studies) can be found in the Research section.
