Virology Specimen Collection Guidelines
Specimen Type | Guidelines | Device and minimum vol. | Transport time and temp | Replica Limits | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
For virus specimen |
In general, specimens for virus isolation should be collected within 4 days after onset of illness as virus shedding decreases rapidly after that time. With only a rare exception, virus cultures are not worthwhile for specimens collected more than 7 days after the onset of illness. |
Except for body |
Most viruses remain stable at 4oC for 2-3 days and almost indefinitely at –70oC. |
|
To ensure proper evaluation, the following information should accompany the specimen: (1) date of illness onset, (2) date and time specimen was collected, (3) admitting diagnosis, (4) source of specimen. |
Blood |
1. Cleanse venipuncture site with 70% isopropyl alcohol. |
Heparin tube, 8-10 ml/tube. |
Submit at RTa |
None |
Commonly ordered for: CMV. |
CSF |
1. Disinfect site with 2% iodine tincture. |
Sterile screw-cap tube, 1.0 ml |
Submit immediately at 4oC. |
None |
Frequently isolated: coxsackievirus (some), echovirus, enterovirus, mumps virus. |
Cervical or vaginal swabb |
1. If lesions are present, swab vigorously. Place swab in UTMa. |
Swabb |
Immediately place swab in UTMa. |
1/day/ |
Frequently isolated: HSV, CMV |
Conjunctiva swabb |
1. Collect material from the lower conjunctiva with a flexible, fine-shafted swab moistened with sterile saline. |
Swabb |
Immediately place swab in UTMa. |
None |
Frequently isolated: adenovirus; |
Feces |
1. Pass directly into a clean, dry container. |
Sterile, leakproof, wide-mouth container, at least 2 g or more. |
Submit at 4oC. |
1/day |
Frequently isolated: adenoviruses; enteroviruses. |
Nasal swabb |
1. Pass a flexible, fine shafted swab into the nostril. |
Swabb |
Immediately place swab in UTM. Submit at 4oC. |
1/day |
Frequently isolated; influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, rhinovirus (limited), RSV (nasopharyngeal preferred) |
Nasopharynx |
1. Pass appropriate size tubing or catheter into the nasopharynx. |
Sterile container. |
Submit at 4oC. |
1/day |
Frequently isolated: influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, rhinovirus (limited), RSV. |
Nasopharynx swabb |
1. Pass a flexible, fine shafted swab into the nasopharynx. |
Swabb |
Immediately place swab in UTMa. |
1/day |
Frequently isolated: influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, rhinovirus (limited), RSV. |
Oral swabb |
1. Firmly sample base of lesion(s) with a swab. |
Swabb |
Immediately place swab in UTMa. |
1/day |
Frequently isolated: enterovirus (some), HSV. |
Rash |
1. Gently cleanse area with sterile saline. |
Swabb |
Immediately place swab in UTMa. |
1/day/ |
Frequently isolated: adenovirus, enterovirus, rubella virus, measles virus (rubeola virus) |
Vesicular |
1. Sample only fresh vesicles because older crusted vesicles may not contain viable virus. |
Swabb |
Immediately place swab in UTMa. |
1/day/ |
Frequently isolated: enterovirus (some), echovirus, HSV, VZV |
Throat swabb |
1. Using a tongue depressor, depress the tongue to prevent contamination with saliva. |
Swabb |
Immediately place swab in UTMa. |
1/day |
Frequently isolated: adenovirus, CMV, enterovirus, HSV, influenza A and B viruses, measles virus, mumps virus, parainfluenza virus. |
Tissue |
1. Obtain samples from areas directly adjacent to affected tissue. |
UTMa |
Submit at 4oC. |
None |
Always submit as much tissue as possible. Never submit a swab that has simply been rubbed over the surface. |
Urethral swabb |
Patient should not have urinated within 1 h prior to collection. |
Swabb |
Immediately place swab in UTMa. |
1/day |
Frequently isolated: CMV, HSV |
Urine |
Refer to specific guidelines for urine collection. |
Sterile container, 5 ml |
Submit at 4oC |
1/day |
Frequently isolated: adenovirus, CMV, HSV, mumps virus |
a BAL, bronchoalveolar lavage; CSF, cerebral spinal fluid; UTM, virus, chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, transport medium; PBS, phosphate buffered saline, RT, room temperature; CMV, cytomegalovirus; HSV, herpes simplex virus; EBV, Epstein-Barr virus; HIV-1, human immunodeficiency virus type 1: LCMV, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus: EIA, enzyme immunoassay; RSV, respiratory syncytial virus; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; VZV, varicella-zoster virus. b Dacron or rayon with plastic or aluminum shafts are acceptable; calcium alginate swabs or swabs with wooden shafts are not acceptable. |