Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Aspirate

Specimen Type: Aspirate

Container/Tube: Viral Transport Media (UTM)

Specimen Volume: Aspirate

Collection Instructions:

1. Using a sterile needle and syringe, aspirate material and place in a screw-capped, sterile container.

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

3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

4. Specimen source is required.

5. Do not transport specimen in syringe with needle attached.
 

Swab

Specimen Type: Swab

Container/Tube: Swab in Viral Transport Media (UTM)

Specimen Volume: Dacron swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect specimen using a Dacron swab.

2. Place Dacron swab in vial (Viral Transport media), break or cut off shaft of swab, and discard shaft. (Dry swabs, swabs not in viral transport media, or wooden swabs are not acceptable.)
3. Tightly cap vial.

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

5. Send specimen refrigerated.

6. To maximize recovery of viruses, specimens should be transported to the laboratory without delay.

7. Specimen source is required.

Tissue

Specimen Type: Tissue

Container/Tube:  viral transport media (UTM)

Specimen Volume: 1 g to 2 g of tissue

Collection Instructions:

1. Aseptically collect 1 g to 2 g of tissue and place in UTM viral transport media.

2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), DOB, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

4. Specimen source is required.

Stool

Specimen Type: Stool

Container/Tube: White-capped, sterile container. VIral Transport Media (UTM) may be used if immediate transport is not available.

Specimen Volume: Fill specimen to line indicated on the container. do not overfill.

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

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

4. Specimen source is required.