Page 221 - pathology_services_handbook_5th_edition_2018

V MOLECULAR

5.1 H1N1 and MERS-CoV test

1. Respiratory specimens including: throat swabs, tracheal aspirates, sputum, MICROBIOLOGY
nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal aspirates or washes, and nasopharyngeal or
oropharyngeal swabs.
2. Swabs of specimens should be collected only on swabs with a Dacron® tip
and aluminium or plastic shaft. Swabs with calcium alginate or cotton tips and
wooden shafts are not acceptable.
3. Specimens should be transported in 2 ml VTM (Viral Transport Media) in ice to
the laboratory as soon as possible.
4. Other specimen should be placed in sterile container.

5.2 ZIKA Virus Test

Type of samples for investigation of Zika virus:
1) Blood
• 3.5 ml in plain tube with gel separator.

2) Urine
• Minimum 10 ml of urine collected in sterile container.

Note:
• To collect and send both samples for investigation of Zika virus
• Specimens need to be put in biohazard plastic and transport in ice immediately
to laboratory.
• Please consult clinical microbiologist before sending specimens for Zika PCR.
• Investigation of Zika virus for patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome and
microcephaly will be done in IMR (Please refer Table 2: List of Tests to Referral
Laboratories).

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