Specimen Requirements

Specimen should be collected during acute phase of disease

Blood

Specimen must arrive in laboratory immediately after draw.

1. Draw blood in a dark green top (heparin) tube(s) and send 5.0 mL of heparinized whole blood

2. Label tube(s) with patient's name (first and last), MR# or DOB and date and actual time of draw

3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.

Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing. 

Body Fluid

1. Aseptically collect 1.0 mL of body fluid in a screw-capped, sterile container. 

2. Label container with patient's name (first and last), MR# or DOB and actual time of collection.

3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.

Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing. 

Respiratory Fluid or Washing

1. Collect 2.0 to 5.0 mL of respiratory fluid or washing in a dry, screw-capped sterile container.

2. Label tube(s) with patient's name (first and last), MR# or DOB and date and actual time of draw

3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.

Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing. 

Throat Swab

1. Collect specimen using the swab provided in the BD Viral Transport Medium

2. Rotate swab in both tonsillar crypts and against posterior oropharynx.  Avoid touching tongue or buccal mucosa.

3. Place swab in BD Universal viral Transport Medium

3. Label tube(s) with patient's name (first and last), MR# or DOB and date and actual time of draw

4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly send specimen refrigerated. 

Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing. 

Urine

Submit clean-catch, midstream urine in a plastic, screw-capped, sterile container

Males:

a. Holding back foreskin with 1 hand, if necessary, use a Towelet to wash end of penis and allow to air dry.

b. Remove lid of container. Do not touch inside of container or lid

c. Continue holding back foreskin and begin to urinate into toilet. After urine stream is established, move container  into stream and fill approximately 1/2 full

d. Finish urinating into toilet.

e. Replace lid on container tightly

Females

A. Remove lid of container. Do not touch inside of container or lid.

B. If menstruating, insert a fresh tampon or stop flow with cotton.

C. Separate outer folds of vagina with 1 hand (keep separated until specimen is collected).

D. With other hand, gently wash vaginal area from front to back, using a Towelette®. Repeat 2 more times.

E. Continue holding outer vaginal folds apart and begin to urinate into toilet. After urine stream is established, move container into stream and fill approximately 1/2 full.

F. Finish urinating into toilet.

G. Replace lid on container tightly.

2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), MR# or DOB, date and actual time of collection and type of specimen.

3. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Tissue

1. Collect tissue aseptically with a minimum of contamination from surrounding tissues and/or secretions.

2. Place specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container.

3. Do not allow tissue to dry.

4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), MR# or DOB, date and actual time of collection and type of specimen.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Conjunctival materal

1. Collect conjunctival material using a sterile cotton or Dacron® swab.

2. Place swab in viral transport medium.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), MR# or DOB, date and actual time of collection and type of specimen.

4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.