Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), vesicle fluid, tissue or vesicle skin scrapings. Place CSF in sterile screw cap vial. Place any other specimen in MicroTest (M4 or M4RT) Transport Media. Break off swab and leave in medium.
Handling:
Refrigerate or freeze CSF within 30 minutes. Do not centrifuge CSF. Maintain sterility and handle in an environment where VZV DNA contamination is not likely. Specimen other than CSF should be refrigerated within 2 hours of collection. If transport if delayed, CSF or any specimen may be frozen at -70o C. Specimen not collected in M4 or M4RT Transport Media should reach testing department within 2 hours of collection.
Stability:
72 hours refrigerated or 3 months frozen.
Standard Volume:
1 mL CSF.
Minimum Volume:
0.5 mL CSF.
Transport:
Refrigerated or if frozen, on dry ice.
Rejection Criteria:
Specimen not maintained or transported at proper temperature; grossly hemolyzed CSF (blood may inhibit PCR and lead to false negative results).
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