○ Infection by a blood parasite cannot be ruled out with a single blood sample. Acute and convalescent sera collected 2-3 weeks apart may be needed for laboratory diagnosis ○ Indicate relevant clinical information (e.g. recent travel history, recent refugee or immigrant/country of origin, fever, hemoglobinuria, intravascular hemolysis, renal failure or immune compromised)
Whole blood/serum ○ Decontaminate skin with 70% alcohol followed by iodine or chlorhexidine, collect at least 5 mL of blood in appropriate container
CSF ○ Decontaminate skin, collect at least 0.5 mL of CSF by lumbar puncture into sterile container
Lymph node aspirate ○ Decontaminate skin, collect lymph node aspirate via fine needle with sterile technique. Place in sterile container.
Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery
PHOL
○ Microscopy: Up to 2 days ○ Serology/PCR: Up to 42 days
416-586-4800 extension 4611
NO
○ Label specimen container and outer biohazard specimen bag with printed electronic laboratory order sticker. For unstained blood slides, place in slide mailer. Place specimens in biohazard bag, seal.
○ Specimens should be stored at room temperature (20-25˚C) after collection and transported immediately to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory
○ The specimen will be referred to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for testing. PHOL will refer molecular and serologic testing to NRCP.