CSF:
To collect in a sterile container and to be left at 37°C until transport. To be transported at room temperature to the laboratory with in 1-2 hours
Other Body fluids, respiratory specimens, biopsy, FNAB , pus etc:
To collect in a sterile container and to be kept at 4°C and transported to the laboratory in cold within 2 hours of collection for bacterial culture and within 24 hours of collection for Mycobacteria and fungal culture
Sputum for Mycobacteria (AFB ) culture:
Early morning first sample of sputum produced through a deep throated cough to be collected in a sterile wide mouth container and transported at room temperature within 2 hours to the laboratory. It is recommended that the test be repeated on sputum collected on three consecutive days.
Gastric lavage for Mycobacteria (AFB ) culture:
The specimen to be collected in a sterile container and transported within one hour to the laboratory at room temperature as the acid fast bacilli may be killed in the acidic nature of the specimen
Swabs ( pus, urethral swab, throat swab, swab from lesion or vesicle):
The material collected in two- three sterile swabs, put in a sterile test tube with a cotton plug, stored at 4°C and transported in cold within 2 hours of collection for bacterial culture and within 24 hours of collection for Mycobacteria and fungal culture
Skin scraping for fungus smear
The skin scraping can be collected from the periphery of the lesion with the blunt edge of a sterile blade, and the smear can be made on a new clean microscopic slide. The smear is fixed in methanol or with acetone, transported to the laboratory at room temperature with in 24 hours of collection preferably in slide mailer or wrapped in a clean tissue paper. The skin scraping can be collected from the periphery of the lesion with the blunt edge of a sterile blade, and placed in the envelope provided by the laboratory. The closed envelope can be transported to the laboratory at room temperature with in 24 hours
Slit skin preparation for AFB:
A superficial cut (taking care not to induce bleeding) is made at the site of lesion and a smear is made from the cut onto a new microscopic slide. The smear is fixed in methanol or with acetone, transported to the laboratory at room temperature with in 24 hours of collection preferably in slide mailer or wrapped in a clean tissue paper. |