Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Spinal fluid, sputum or other respiratory specimens, tissue, or urine

Spinal Fluid

1. Submit 1 mL of spinal fluid in a screw-capped, sterile container or capped syringe.

2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.

Note: Indicate specimen source on specimen container and in computer.

Sputum or Other Respiratory Specimens

1. Submit 5 mL to 10 mL of sputum or other respiratory specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container.

2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.

Note: Indicate specimen source on specimen container and in computer.

Tissue (Incision or Biopsy)

1. Submit fresh tissue or tissue in a small amount of saline (no formalin) in a screw-capped, sterile container.

2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.

Note: Indicate specimen source on specimen container and in computer.

Urine

1. Submit 5 mL to 10 mL of urine in a screw-capped, sterile container.

2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature.

Note: Indicate specimen source on specimen container and in computer.