Influenza A Virus Isolation

Specimen

Collection Information

GENERAL - Label all containers with appropriate information - Animal ID, Owner Name, Veterinarian, Sample Type, Date.
REFRIGERATION - Refrigerate all samples until shipment.
SERUM - Collect blood in a red top or tiger top blood tube. Allow the sample to clot at room temperature before centrifuging or refrigerating. Serum may be submitted in a spun-down tiger top or poured off after spinning into a secondary tube. If submitting specimens from multiple animals, 1) label each tube sequentially (e.g., 1, 2, 3…) to correspond to the specimen/animal order on the submission form; 2) for each specimen, list animal IDs on submission form; and, 3) if >10 animals per submission, please submit an electronic spreadsheet with animal IDs (in sequential order) – this will facilitate accessioning and data entry, reducing turn-around time.
EDTA BLOOD - Collect blood in appropriate vacutainer tube making sure to meet minimum quantity.
SWAB (fecal, respiratory, tissue, purulent) - Synthetic (Dacron/polyester) swabs are recommended. Swabs should be placed in a viral transport system (examples: Viral Culturette, Becton Dickinson; Universal Transport Medium, Copan Diagnostics) or in a sterile, leakproof tube with 0.5 ml sterile. Please only utilize bacterial culturette systems for bacterial culture.
FRESH TISSUES - Collect tissues in sterile/clean containers (plastic jars or sealable plastic bags). Separate tissues in different containers and label with tissue type, animal ID, and owner name.
FETUS/FETAL TISSUES - Refrigerate and store the body until it is able to be delivered to the lab for necropsy. Deliver to ADDL for necropsy as soon as possible to minimize autolysis. Remember to collect and submit placenta (cotyledonary NOT amniotic).

Shipping Information

OVERNIGHT - Ship overnight in an insulated shipper with ice packs (pack absorptive material to collect moisture) DO NOT SHIP OVER THE WEEKEND OR HOLIDAY - NO SATURDAY DELIVERY
LEAKS - Ensure all samples are in leakproof packages and clearly labeled with Tissue Type/Animal ID/Owner Name. Include absorptive material to collect any leaks - double bag any fresh tissues.
PAPERWORK - Package paperwork separately in a waterproof, sealable plastic bag. Ensure paperwork is complete and specimens are labeled for easy matching. If you are using CF.755 Multiple Animal Continuation Form, please include a hard copy and email a copy to addl@purdue.edu.
SERUM - Package blood tubes in a blood tube box or wrap securely with a paper towel or bubble wrap to provide protection.
EDTA BLOOD - Package blood tubes in a blood tube box or wrap securely with a paper towel or bubble wrap to provide protection.
FECES - Ensure the container is securely sealed. Double bag all diarrhea samples to contain any leaks.
SWAB - Ship swabs in a sealed container with the appropriate media or in the proper commercial swab transport device.
FRESH TISSUES - If shipping different tissue types, clearly label each container with the owner and animal ID (if applicable) and sample/tissue type. Double bag ALL fresh tissues.
FETUS/FETAL TISSUES - Double bag body if shipping through a courier service. Ship placenta in a separate leakproof, plastic bag.

Additional Information