(eSwab or cup without preservatives)
Nasophayrngeal Swab Or Sputum
0.5 mL
Transport specimens to the laboratory as soon as possible, ideally within 2 hours.
If transport is delayed, refrigerate at 2–8°C and test within 24 hours.
Do not freeze unless instructed by the laboratory.
Keep swabs upright and avoid shaking, bending, or dropping.
Mix sputum gently before aliquoting for testing.
Tissues in optimal cutting temperature compound.
Frozen
Mon, Wed, Fri
1-5 days
qPCR
Molecular
(RML)
C pneumoniae PCR
Chlamydophila pneumoniae
Test
Insufficient sample collection may lead to false-negative results.
Contamination with other microorganisms may cause false-positive results.
Prolonged storage at room temperature can degrade nucleic acids.
Non-validated swab types (wooden shafts, calcium alginate tips) can inhibit PCR.
Presence of blood, mucus, or topical antiseptics can interfere with PCR amplification.
Use sterile technique to collect the sample.
For swabs, insert into the nasopharynx/oropharynx according to standard collection procedure and rotate gently to collect sufficient cells.
For sputum, have the patient expectorate into a sterile container after deep coughing.
Immediately place swab into the transport medium or seal sputum container.
Label with patient identifiers, specimen type, and collection date/time.
Avoid contaminating the specimen with saliva, mucus, or environmental surfaces.
87486
34645-2
