Container & Turnaround Additional transport requirements and Investigation Samples tested Sample volume time other comments For skin scrapings and Transport to the nail clippings disinfect laboratory within 2-3 the affected area with Skin scrapings, Hair Dermapak™, days of collection. alcohol and collect (plucked with follicles), 4-5 weeks and/or Mycotrans™ Store at room sufficient amount. For Nail clippings sterile universal container temperature in dry hair samples, include at conditions least 10 infected hair strands Tissue and/or biopsy Sterile universal Transport to the laboratory on the day of samples, Bone marrow 4-5 weeks container collection or store overnight at room temperature aspirate Respiratory samples (including sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, Swabs in Amies • bronchial washing, etc.), transport medium Transport to the laboratory on the day of Sterile fluids (including Other samples in 2 weeks • collection or store overnight at room temperature pleural fluid), Swabs sterile universal (including ENT, oral, container genital, etc.) Performed by Clinical Biochemistry laboratory. Refer to website Pre-inoculated culture Genital swabs (urethral, . Samples may be media for the cervical, vulvo-vaginal), referred to the Sexually microorganisms above Transport to the Extra-genital swabs Transmitted Bacteria are at 3 days laboratory on the day (rectal and throat), Reference Laboratory, sexual health clinics of collection swabs are Public Health England, and incubated at occasionally submitted for further investigation at 5 % CO2. for candidiasis/balanitis in men
Investigation Samples tested Container & Sample volume Turnaround time Additional transport requirements and other comments Skin scrapings, Hair (plucked with follicles), Nail clippings Dermapak™, Mycotrans™ and/or sterile universal container 4-5 weeks Transport to the laboratory within 2-3 days of collection. Store at room temperature in dry conditions For skin scrapings and nail clippings disinfect the affected area with alcohol and collect sufficient amount. For hair samples, include at least 10 infected hair strands Tissue and/or biopsy samples, Bone marrow aspirate Sterile universal container 4-5 weeks Transport to the laboratory on the day of collection or store overnight at room temperature Respiratory samples (including sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial washing, etc.), Sterile fluids (including pleural fluid), Swabs (including ENT, oral, genital, etc.) • Swabs in Amies transport medium • Other samples in sterile universal container 2 weeks Transport to the laboratory on the day of collection or store overnight at room temperature Performed by Clinical Biochemistry laboratory. Refer to website Genital swabs (urethral, cervical, vulvo-vaginal), Extra-genital swabs (rectal and throat), swabs are occasionally submitted for candidiasis/balanitis in men Pre-inoculated culture media for the microorganisms above are at sexual health clinics and incubated at at 5 % CO2. 3 days Transport to the laboratory on the day of collection . Samples may be referred to the Sexually Transmitted Bacteria Reference Laboratory, Public Health England, for further investigation