Specimen Requirements

Submit only one of the following

Specimen Type: Tissues, biopsies
Container/Tube: Sterile screw-capped container
Volume: As much as possible
Minimum Volume: 1.0 g

pecimen Type: Skin scrapes, nail clips, hair
Container/Tube: Filter paper, Sterile screw-capped container
Volume: As much as possible
Minimum Volume: 1.0 g

Specimen Type: Body fluids, aspirates
Container/Tube: Sterile screw-capped container
Volume: 5.0 mL
Minimum Volume: 1.0 mL

Specimen Type: Swab (varied sources)
Container/Tube: eSwab, M40 transystem Amies agar transport media (for non-NUH patients)
Volume: Entire swab
Collection Instructions: Do not share with other tests. Collect another swab specimen for culture if required.

Please refer to eSwab Training Slides.

Specimen Type: Corneal scrape
Container/Tube: Clean glass slide (free from oil, dust) & slide holder
Volume: 1 slide
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect scrape and smear in a small circle on slide (1.0 cm diameter).
2. Label which side the specimen is on.
3. Place slide in slide holder, label, and send to lab.
4. Do not smear across the entire slide. This will reduce the chance of picking up the organism.
5. Do not stick 2 slides with scotch tape together (with sample in between). This will create unnecessary safety hazard for staff handling slides.