General Comments:

Regulatory and diagnostic serology testing requires that 1-2 ml of good quality serum must be submitted. Hemolyzed and /or contaminated serum reduces the specificity and sensitivity of the tests being performed. A good quality serum sample can be obtained by using either a separator tube or a red top tube. If using a red top tube, please separate serum by centrifugation. The latter method should be done completely before shipping the sample. All serum samples should be sent chilled and shipped with an ice pack.

The following tests detect either a serological or antibody responses to disease agents.

• Standard Plate Tests (SPT)
• Buffered Antigen Plate Agglutination (BAPA)
• Rivanol
• Latex Agglutination
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
• Agar Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID)

Specimen submission:

1. Blood must be collected using sterile techniques. Any microbial or chemical contamination of the sera can cause lyses to the cells. Do not submit whole blood for serological tests. Clear serum in sterile tubes under refrigerated conditions should be submitted.
2. Acute sera should be collected within 3-7 days after onset of the illness. Convalescent sera should be collected 3-4 weeks later.
3. Clearly label all tubes and list on submission form.
4. Tape should be applied around the tube closure to prevent leakage.
5. Refrigerate the samples if transport is delayed. Do not place whole blood samples against gel pack.
6. When preparing serum samples, allow the blood to clot at room temperature before centrifugation.
7. Clearly label and distinguish acute samples from convalescent samples.
8. Paired serum samples may be required for the detection of infection. Separate the serum on the first sample and keep it frozen until the second is drawn, then submit them together.
9. Arrange transport so specimens arrive at the laboratory for Monday through Friday delivery.
10. The laboratory reserves the right to determine the suitability of a specimen for testing.

 Legend:

Red top tube = no additive
Purple top tube = EDTA
Green top tube = Heparinized