○ NP swab and nasal aspirates are preferred specimens ○ Nasal swabs and throat swabs are not recommended ○ Cotton tipped or calcium alginate swabs are not recommended, they contain substances that may inhibit PCR reactions ○ Specimens should be collected during acute phase of illness
○ Nasal aspirates: Auger suction collection kit (Luken’s trap) ○ Nasopharyngeal: 2 NP swabs in colorless transport medium (not pink medium) ○ Sputum/tracheal aspirates: Sterile container
Nasal aspirates: ○ Connect mucus trap (Luken’s trap) to suction pump and catheter. Insert end of catheter through external nares to posterior pharynx. Apply suction, slowly withdraw catheter so it is only in nasopharynx for 10s. Flush material out of catheter with small volume of sterile saline (1-1.5 mL). Nasopharyngeal swab ○ Insert tip of swab into nostril aiming along the floor of nasal cavity until posterior wall of nasopharynx is reached. Resistance will be felt when reached. Rotate swab for 10-30s. Place swab into transport medium and close tube. Repeat collection with second nostril. Sputum/tracheal aspirate ○ Collect sputum by expectoration or by tracheal aspiration in sterile container. ○ For endotracheal aspirates, collect aspirated material using a NEW sterile catheter or in-line catheter and aspirate material from the trachea using a syringe or suction device
Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery
PHOL
○ Up to 4 days from receipt by PHOL
416-586-4800 extension 4459
NO
○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.. Transport specimens to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory at refrigeration temperature (2-8˚C)
○ The specimen will be referred to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for testing