Specimen Stability (for laboratory use only)
Collection Container
Universal transport medium
Collection Instructions:
Submit one of the following: Cerebrospinal fluid, stool, throat swab, nasopharyngeal aspirate, pericardial fluid OR vesicular fluid
For throat swab, nasopharyngeal aspirate collection:
Throat swab/nasopharyngeal aspirate within the first 3-4 days of onset for all clinical presentations.
1. Collect specimen into a universal transport medium.
2. Chill specimen immediately in either crushed ice or an ice pack. The coolant must cover the specimen level in the collection container.
3. Send specimen to the laboratory immediately.
For Cerebrospinal fluid, stool, pericardial fluid, vesicular fluid collection:
For stool specimens, collect 24-48 hours apart for all patients aged 15 years and below with a diagnosis of AFP (acute flaccid paralysis) for poliomyelitis surveillance.
1. Collect specimen into a sterile screw capped container.
2. Send specimen to the laboratory immediately.
Refer to testing laboratory test catalogue for more information:
https://www.sgh.com.sg/patient-care/specialties-services/Pathology/Pages/ENTEROVIRUS-ISOLATION.aspx
For throat swab, nasopharyngeal aspirate collection:
Throat swab/nasopharyngeal aspirate within the first 3-4 days of onset for all clinical presentations.
1. Collect specimen into a universal transport medium.
2. Chill specimen immediately in either crushed ice or an ice pack. The coolant must cover the specimen level in the collection container.
3. Send specimen to the laboratory immediately.
For Cerebrospinal fluid, stool, pericardial fluid, vesicular fluid collection:
For stool specimens, collect 24-48 hours apart for all patients aged 15 years and below with a diagnosis of AFP (acute flaccid paralysis) for poliomyelitis surveillance.
1. Collect specimen into a sterile screw capped container.
2. Send specimen to the laboratory immediately.
Refer to testing laboratory test catalogue for more information:
https://www.sgh.com.sg/patient-care/specialties-services/Pathology/Pages/ENTEROVIRUS-ISOLATION.aspx
Unacceptable Conditions:
N.A.
Specimen Stability:
Ambient
Send specimen to the laboratory immediately
Refrigerate
Frozen
Performance
Turn Around Time:
2 - 6 weeks
Days Test Performed:
Testing Laboratory:
Singapore General Hospital (SGH), Virology
Clinical & Interpretative
Description:
Methodology:
Tissue culture
Reference Interval:
See laboratory report
Critical Values:
N.A.
