Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Hair

1. Clip or pluck hair from affected area and place in a screw-capped, sterile container. (Improperly labeled specimen, or specimen in non-sterile or leaky container is not acceptable.)

2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of collection, type of specimen, and collector’s initials.

3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note: Specimen source is required.

Nail or Skin Scraping

1. Wash site thoroughly with 60% isopropanol.

2. After drying site, scrape lesion with a sterile scalpel or edge of a glass slide.

3. Place specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container. (Improperly labeled specimen, or specimen in non-sterile or leaky container is not acceptable.) Do not attempt to keep nail or skin scraping moist during transit.

4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of collection, type of specimen, and collector’s initials.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note: Specimen source is required.

Other Material

1. Place specimen in sterile container used for bacteriologic culture material is acceptable. (Improperly labeled specimen, or specimen in non-sterile or leaky container is not acceptable.)

2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of collection, type of specimen, and collector’s initials.

3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. In certain fungal diseases (ie, histoplasmosis), organisms are frequently difficult to isolate and 3 or more specimens may be required.