Clinical Virology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, UPMC

Clinical Virology Laboratory
Division of Clinical Microbiology

AN OVERVIEW

SERVICES OFFERED

SPECIMEN COLLECTION GUIDE:
MOLECULAR VIROLOGY AND
CHLAMYDIA TESTS (PCR, NASBA)

Specimen	Amount	Handling
Bronchial lavage, sputum, tracheal aspirate, nasal wash	1 to 5 cc	Collect in sterile container; keep cool or frozen
Urine	1 to 5 cc	Collect in a sterile container, keep cool or frozen
Blood	3 to 10 cc	Collect blood in ACD tube; keep at room temperature
Swabs	Cover swab with material	Swab area and place in saline or viral transport media; keep cool on ice

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Department of Pathology