Preferred Conditions for Processing (PCR) Specimen Requirements
PREFERRED CONDITIONS FOR PROCESSING, STORING AND SHIPPING SPECIMENS FOR PCR TESTING1
Specimen Type | Specimen Age | Shipping Conditions |
Minimum Volume1 | Preferred Volume1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Amniotic fluid
| Up to one month when stored refrigerated; indefinite when stored frozen
| 2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs preferred; frozen acceptable; overnight delivery
|
3 ml | 10 ml
|
Other body fluids: Ascitic | Up to one month when stored refrigerated; indefinite when stored frozen | 2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs; frozen acceptable; overnight delivery
|
3 ml | 10 ml
|
CSF | Up to one month when stored refrigerated; indefinite when stored frozen
| Frozen preferred; 2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs acceptable; overnight delivery
|
0.4 ml | 1 ml
|
Ocular fluids (vitreous and aqueous) | Up to one month when stored refrigerated; indefinite when stored frozen
| Frozen preferred; 2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs acceptable; overnight delivery
|
0.1 ml | 0.5 ml |
Whole blood
| Up to 2 days
| EDTA or citrate tube; 20 – 25° C; overnight delivery
|
1 ml | 5 ml
|
Urine | Up to one week when stored refrigerated; indefinite when stored frozen | 2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs preferred; frozen acceptable; overnight delivery
|
6 ml | 10 ml |
Solid tissues
| Up to 24 hours when stored refrigerated; indefinite when stored frozen; NO preservatives | Frozen preferred; 2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs acceptable; overnight delivery
|
25 mg | 50 mg |
The Toxoplasma Serology Laboratory will test specimens that deviate from these conditions. However, sensitivity might be compromised. Please contact our laboratory at (650) 853-4828 for any questions about testing specimens that do not conform to these conditions.