DEDICATED molecular specimens are required for blood and swab requests

Amniotic fluid, Breastmilk, CSF, EDTA blood, Plasma/serum, Faeces, NST Card (Guthrie Card), Dry swab, Saliva/Saliva swab, Semen, Tissue biopsy, Urine

Quantitative PCR (viral loads) are performed on all detected blood specimens. Note: These are performed on plasma unless whole blood is specified or is insufficient to be performed on plasma.

Saliva Collection: Do not collect sample within 1 hour of breast feeding. 

Laboratory Staff:
Guthrie Card test:
Register with lab number and scan all paperwork. Send to VCGS for retrieval of NST card (Guthrie card). Phone log time of retrieval request dispatch and time of Guthrie card receipt before forwarding to Molecular Microbiology lab for testing.
NOTE: Paperwork must include:
1. Dr request 
2. Parent consent for VCGS to process request

Recommended transport/storage conditions

• Amniotic fluid: 2-8^oC for 3 days
• Breast milk: 2-8^oC for 3 days
• CSF: 2-8^oC for 3 days
• EDTA Blood: 2-8^oC for 3 days
• Faeces: 2-8^oC for 3 days
• NST Card (Guthrie Card): Less than <30^oC (Room temp)
• Plasma/Serum: 2-8^oC for 3 days
• Saliva/ Saliva swab: <30^oC (Room temp) for 3 days
• Semen: 2-8^oC for 3 days
• Dry swab: <30^oC (Room temp) for 3 days
• Tissue biopsy: 2-8^oC for 3 days
• Urine: Transport at RT for 24 hours, 2-8^oC for 4 days

Daily (Monday - Friday)

For same day results, specimens need to be received in the laboratory before 11:00am (RCH) AND 8:30am (RWH)