Table 5 Instructions for collecting and sending samples for laboratory diagnosis—for diagnosis via RT-PCR
For diagnosis via RT-PCR (reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Type of material | Collection procedure | Storage and conservation | Packing and transportation |
Blood (serum) | Collect around 10 ml of blood from the mother, without anticoagulant: up to 3–5 days after the start of symptoms. Separate out at least 2–3 ml of serum for RT-PCR. In the case of the newborn, 2–5 ml of blood (preferably from the umbilical cord), and separate out 0.5–1.0 ml of serum for RT-PCR | Use temperature-resistant sterile plastic tube with screw top and sealing ring. Label the tube with the patient’s name, collection date and sample type. Conserve in freezer at −20 °C or −70 °C until sending to the laboratory | Pack in biological sample transportation box (category B UN/3373) with dry ice |
Blood (serum) from umbilical cord | Collect 2-5 ml of blood from the newborn, without anticoagulant, at the time of birth | Use sterile plastic tube with screw top and sealing ring. Label the tube with the patient’s name, collection date and sample type. Conserve in freezer at −20 °C or −70 °C until sending to the laboratory | Pack in biological sample transportation box (category B UN/3373) with dry ice |
Cerebrospinal fluid | Collect 1 ml from the newborn at the time of birth | Use temperature-resistant sterile plastic tube with screw top and sealing ring. Label the tube with the patient’s name, collection date and sample type. Conserve in freezer at −20 °C or −70 °C until sending to the laboratory | Pack in biological sample transportation box (category B UN/3373) with dry ice |
Urine | Collect 10 ml up to 8 dias days after the start of symptoms | Use sterile plastic tube with screw top and sealing ring. Label the tube with the patient’s name, collection date and sample type. Conserve in freezer at −20 °C or −70 °C until sending to the laboratory | Pack in biological sample transportation box (category B UN/3373) with dry ice |
Placenta | Collect 3 × 3 cm from the placenta at the time of birth | Obtain 3 fragments from the placenta (dimensions of 1 cm3 each), consisting of non-fixed tissue, and transfer to a temperature-resistant sterile flask with screw top and sealing ring. Label the tube with the patient’s name, collection date and sample type. Conserve in freezer at −20 °C or −70 °C until sending to the laboratory | Pack in biological sample transportation box (category B UN/3373) with dry ice |