Corneal scrapings
Contact lens cases and fluid
CSF (cerebrospinal fluid)
○ Corneal scrapings: sterile container with normal saline
○ Contact lens cases/fluid or CSF: sterile container
Corneal scrapings:
○ Collect scrapings from lesions or ulcers using a sterile spatula in normal saline (min volume 1 mL)
Contact lens cases and solution:
○ Collect 1 mL of contact lens solution in sterile container
○ Alternatively, both the lens case and contact lens solution bottle can be sent to the laboratory as a whole in a specimen bag
CSF:
○ Collect CSF by lumbar puncture in sterile container (min volume 1 mL)
Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery
PHOL
Up to 3 days from receipt by PHOL
CSF specimens up to 1 day upon receipt by PHOL