Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Abscess, Aspirate or biopsy: ≥1 mL in a leak-proof screw-capped, sterile container

CSF: >1 mL in a leak-proof screw-capped, sterile container (if free living amoeba - i.e. Acanthamoeba or Naegleria - is suspected)

Bronchial: ≥5 mL in a leak-proof screw-capped, sterile container

Sputum: ≥5 mL in a leak-proof screw-capped, sterile container

Arthropod, scabies, worm: any amount in a leak-proof, screw-capped, sterile container

Collection Procedure:

Note: If specific parasite is suspected, note on request form. 

Note: Specimen source is required.

Aspirate
1. Aseptically collect ≥1 mL fluid. (Swab is not acceptable.)
2. Place specimen in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.
3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

CSF

1. Aseptically collect >1 mL fluid.

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

3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Bronchial
1. Aseptically collect ≥5 mL.
2. Place specimen in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.
3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Sputum
1. Aseptically collect early-morning specimen in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container. It is optimal to collect a specimen each day for 3 consecutive days. (Saliva is not acceptable.)
2. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and rinse mouth well with water.
3. Have patient remove dentures.
4. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, and then cough deeply and vigorously into a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container. Collect ≥5 mL of discharged material.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Arthropod, Scabies, Worm

1. Aseptically collect in a leak-proof, screw-capped, sterile container.

2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.