Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Blood

Whole blood is the preferred specimen at ambient temperature. If there is a delay in transport of ≥4 hours, send 3 to 4 thick and thin smears.

Draw blood in a lavender-top (EDTA) tube(s), and send 2 mL of EDTA whole blood. Forward promptly at ambient temperature only. If there is a delay in transport of >2 hours, send specimen refrigerated.

Alternate:

Smears, Thick and Thin

Whole blood is the preferred specimen at ambient temperature. If there is a delay in transport of ≥4 hours, send 3 to 4 thick and thin smears.

Thin Blood Smears
1. Prepare with a “feathered edge”; should be no more than a single cell thick.

2. Allow film to thoroughly air dry and then fix by briefly immersing in either absolute or 95% methyl alcohol. Allow to air dry. Protect smears from light.

3. Send slides in a plastic slide container.

4. Forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Thick Blood Smears
1. Place a large drop of blood (preferably from a fingerstick) on a slide.

2. Using a corner of a second slide, spread drop by literally scratching carrier slide to make blood adhere. Drop of blood should start out the size of a dime and be about the size of a quarter when finished.

3. Do not fix; air dry only. Protect smears from light.

4. Send slides in a plastic slide container.

5. Forward promptly at ambient temperature only.