Duke Clinical Microbiology Laboratory
The Duke Clinical Microbiology Laboratory is a College of American Pathologist (CAP) accredited, CLIA certified, state of the art laboratory providing patients and their providers comprehensive and expert microbiology diagnostic services. Our laboratory processes over several hundred thousand specimens per year and offers high complexity testing in the areas of bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, virology, parasitology, infectious diseases serology, molecular microbiology, and susceptibility testing. We operate 24 hours per day and serve as the central clinical microbiology laboratory within the Duke University Health System (DUHS).
Recent Announcements and Updates
| 2/03/2026 | Beginning Tuesday, February 3, 2026, DUHS Clinical Laboratories will update the order name for LAB3421 routine urine culture reflexed from urinalysis pyuria screen (currently named “Culture, Urine, Routine with Pyuria Screen”). The new name for this order will now be Urinalysis with Culture Reflex (Pyuria Screen). All other urine culture and urinalysis order names, including the order for restricted populations (LAB3420), remain unchanged. For more information [click here] |
| 12/08/2025 | Beginning December 11, 2025, the Duke Clinical Microbiology Laboratory will include “VAD Driveline Exit Site” as a selectable specimen source when ordering “Culture, Aerobes Only, Other w/ Gram Stain” (LAB897) for patients with ventricular assist device requiring culture. For more information [click here]. |
| 10/07/2025 | With the upcoming respiratory season, Duke Microbiology Laboratory published the 2025–2026 DUHS Micro Respiratory Viral Testing Guidance for the Winter Respiratory Viral Season to help support test selection and ordering. For more information [click here]. |
Clinical Testing Service
At the core of our mission is providing timely and accurate infectious disease test results to our patients. We strive to work with our clinical partners to ensure that we are delivering the quality care that our patients deserve.
Below are value links to resources:
Electronic Test Catalog
Specimen Collection and Submission Guidance
Diagnostic Testing Guidance for Clinicians
NC State Lab and CDC Send Out Request
Molecular Microbiology Send Out Request (Coming Soon)
Translational Medicine and Research Support
In addition to our clinical mission, translational medicine is a focal point in our laboratory. We are constantly in motion, developing new assays, collaborating with other services, institutions, and industry partners, and pushing the scientific boundaries to bring better diagnostics to patients. We offer a number of different avenues for investigators interested in collaborating with our faculty and laboratory, including participation in clinical trials. Depending on the subject matter, faculty interest, and complexity of the study, the Duke Microbiology Laboratory can provide technical, clinical, and/or material support, as either academic collaboration or service.
Interested Duke investigators can contact us by completing our intake survey.
Interested external investigators can contact one of our faculty members.
Education
Duke Microbiology strives to transform microbiology, medicine, and health locally and globally through innovative research and application of diagnostic tests, educating future leaders, and advancing, advocating, and practicing evidence-based medicine. Please follow the links below to learn more about our educational mission.
Med Micro Fellowship website
Path resident website
Hours of Operation and Location
We are open 24/7/365.
Our laboratory is located on first floor of the Duke Eye Center.
DUHS Clinical Microbiology
Wadsworth Building, Room 0170
2351 Erwin Road
Durham, NC 27705
Our main phone line is: 919-684-2089.
Operational Leadership
| Jeanette Uzzell Laboratory Manager (919) 684-3717 jeanette.uzzell@duke.edu | Judy Decal Laboratory Supervisor (919) 684-2562 mariajudy.decal@duke.edu | Sarath Dhananjayan Laboratory Supervisor (919) 668-5003 sarath.dhananjayan@duke.edu | Victoria Gibson Laboratory Supervisor (919) 668-5097 victoria.gibson@duke.edu |
Directorship
| Michael Datto, MD, PhD CLIA Medical Director (919) 684-6965 Michael.Datto@duke.edu | Diana Alame, MD, MBE Medical Director (919) 684-9929 Diana.Alame@duke.edu | Barbara Alexander, MD, MHS Section Director of Mycology (919) 668-0789 barbara.alexander@duke.edu |
| Alex Jaramillo Cartagena, PhD Section Director of Bacteriology (919) 684-9009 alexis.jaramillocartagena@duke.edu | Mark Lee, PhD Section Director of Molecular (919) 660-9640 Mark.Lee624@duke.edu | Ran Zhuo, Ph.D. Section Director AFB, Parasitology, Serology ran.zhuo@duke.edu |