Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube Type: 

BD Universal Viral Transport (UVT) or Viral Transport Media (VTM) - Dermal Specimens
Sterile CSF Container - Spinal Fluid

Also Acceptable Collection Container: 

Copan eSwab - Dermal Specimens

Collection Information: 

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Dermal Specimens
Collect lesion and dermal specimens using the BD Universal Viral Transport (UVT) or Viral Transport Media (VTM) collection system. If a UVT/VTM is not available, a Copan eSwab is acceptable. Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Spinal Fluid
0.5 mL of spinal fluid. Do not centrifuge. Send specimen refrigerated in a screw-capped, sterile vial. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. The high sensitivity of amplification by PCR requires the specimen to be processed in an environment in which contamination of the specimen by VZV DNA is not likely. Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Minimum Sample Volume: 

0.3 mL

Unacceptable Conditions: 

Calcium alginate-tipped swab, wood swab, or transport swab containing gel is not acceptable for PCR testing.