Sample Preparation and Shipping

IMPACT:  To test biological specimens or cultured cells by the IMPACT, send one cryovial of each sample containing a minimum of 2x10⁶ cells/vial.  Cells may be in the form of a pellet or in growth media, freeze media or phosphate-buffered saline.  To test liquid samples by the IMPACT, it is optimal if you send one cryovial of each sample with 0.5 ml of sample/vial.  However, smaller volumes of sample can also be evaluated if limited amounts of the sample are available.  Please call if you have questions about sample size.  Collection of material for IMPACT testing should be performed aseptically to prevent inadvertent contamination of the samples.  Ship samples to our laboratory by overnight courier with sufficient dry ice so that samples remain frozen during shipment.

Mycoplasma: To test biological specimens or cultured cells for Mycoplasma sp. contamination, send one cyrovial of each sample containing a minimum of 2x10⁶ cells/vial.  Cells may be in the form of a pellet or in growth media, freeze media or phosphate-buffered saline.  Collection of material for testing should be performed aseptically to prevent inadvertent contamination of the samples.  Ship samples to our laboratory by overnight courier with sufficient dry ice so that samples remain frozen during shipment.

Feces: Fecal pellets for PCR evaluation should be collected with clean gloves or sterile forceps and placed in individually labeled sterile containers.  Two to three pellets per animal are adequate.  If multiple animals of the same microbiologic status are to be evaluated, up to 10 fecal pellets can be pooled and tested as one sample.  If fecal pellets from multiple animals are to be collected, gloves should be changed or forceps should be replaced between animals to prevent cross-contamination.  Alternatively, forceps can be wiped clean and immersed in a dilute bleach (10%) solution for 10 minutes prior to reuse.  Fecal pellets for identification of Helicobacters and MNV should be shipped by an overnight carrier, but do not need to be chilled or frozen.  Fecal pellets for identification of other viruses should be frozen and shipped to our laboratory by overnight courier with sufficient dry ice so that samples remain frozen during shipment.

Tissue samples: Collection of tissues for PCR evaluation should be performed aseptically to prevent inadvertent contamination of the samples.  Each sample should be placed in individually labeled sterile containers.  When collecting samples, instruments used to collect the samples should be replaced between samples.  Alternatively, instruments can be wiped clean and immersed in a dilute bleach (10%) solution for 10 minutes prior to reuse.  Tissue samples should be frozen and shipped to our laboratory by overnight courier with sufficient dry ice so that samples remain frozen during shipment.

Ship samples to RADIL, 4011 Discovery Drive, Columbia, MO 65201. Call 800-669-0825 or e-mail the RADIL if you have questions about sample collection, storage, or submission.