plates only and not into the agar. Follow the written procedure received with the scrapings culture pack’. Prepare a smear by sandwiching the ‘Corneal remainder of the material between two clean glass microscope slides. Write patient name on correct slide face. If Amoebic Keratitis is suspected then Acantamoeba PCR should be considered. Corneal scrapings should be of sufficient quantity to make two smears and Volume/Quantity to inoculate culture plates. If there is insufficient specimen, culture takes priority. Ensure that agar plates inoculated with corneal scrapings are sealed and labelled. Ensure the smears are placed in a slide holder. Place the agar plates and smears in a sealed plastic specimen bag with request form in the Safety pouch, ready for transport to the laboratory. Requirements Ensure sterile universal containers are leak-proof and closed correctly. Place in a sealed plastic specimen bag with request form in the pouch, ready for transport to the laboratory. Time Between Specimen should be sent to the laboratory immediately. Collection and If processing is delayed, store at 2-8°C and dispatch to lab as soon as Processing possible. Sample Quality N/A Special If specimens for the investigation of Acanthamoeba sp. cannot be Requirements processed within 8 it is preferable to store them at room temperature. Turnaround 7-9 Days Times Comments Eye Swabs Specimen Type Eye swab - any available pus is sampled as well as the lesion of interest. Sample Blue amies agar transport swab. Container Sample Retract the lower eyelid and stroke the tarsal conjunctiva with a transport collection/ swab and remove all purulent material. preparation Volume/Quantity One specimen is sufficient in the case of all swabs. Ensure the swab is returned fully to the transport medium case and correctly Safety closed. Place in a sealed plastic specimen bag with request form in the Requirements pouch, ready for transport to the laboratory. Time Between Specimen should arrive in the laboratory within of collection. Collection and If processing is delayed, store at 2-8°C and dispatch to lab as soon as Processing possible. N/A Sample Quality Special N/A Requirements Turnaround 2-5 Days Times
plates only and not into the agar. Follow the written procedure received with the ‘Corneal scrapings culture pack’. Prepare a smear by sandwiching the remainder of the material between two clean glass microscope slides. Write patient name on correct slide face. If Amoebic Keratitis is suspected then Acantamoeba PCR should be considered. Volume/Quantity Corneal scrapings should be of sufficient quantity to make two smears and to inoculate culture plates. If there is insufficient specimen, culture takes priority. Safety Requirements Ensure that agar plates inoculated with corneal scrapings are sealed and labelled. Ensure the smears are placed in a slide holder. Place the agar plates and smears in a sealed plastic specimen bag with request form in the pouch, ready for transport to the laboratory. Ensure sterile universal containers are leak-proof and closed correctly. Place in a sealed plastic specimen bag with request form in the pouch, ready for transport to the laboratory. Time Between Collection and Processing Specimen should be sent to the laboratory immediately. If processing is delayed, store at 2-8°C and dispatch to lab as soon as possible. Sample Quality N/A Special Requirements If specimens for the investigation of Acanthamoeba sp. cannot be processed within 8 it is preferable to store them at room temperature. Turnaround Times 7-9 Days Comments Eye Swabs Specimen Type Eye swab - any available pus is sampled as well as the lesion of interest. Sample Container Blue amies agar transport swab. Sample collection/ preparation Retract the lower eyelid and stroke the tarsal conjunctiva with a transport swab and remove all purulent material. Volume/Quantity One specimen is sufficient in the case of all swabs. Safety Requirements Ensure the swab is returned fully to the transport medium case and correctly closed. Place in a sealed plastic specimen bag with request form in the pouch, ready for transport to the laboratory. Time Between Collection and Processing Specimen should arrive in the laboratory within of collection. If processing is delayed, store at 2-8°C and dispatch to lab as soon as possible. Sample Quality N/A Special Requirements N/A Turnaround Times 2-5 Days