Test Order

Human and Animal

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Specimens should be stored in sterile leak-proof tubes. Specimens must be stored refrigerated (2-8°C) for up to 7 days or frozen (-20 °C or lower) for up to 30 days after collection.  

Test subject to CLIA regulations and requires two primary patient identifiers (e.g., patient first and last name, date of birth, unique patient identifier from time of collection, such as medical record number) on the specimen container and on the test requisition.

CDC does not accept routine shipments on weekends or holidays. Please make sure packages arrive Monday – Friday. All specimens should be shipped to CDC by same- or next-day courier as etiologic agent. Ship specimens frozen on dry ice. Specimens not meeting these conditions will not be accepted for testing and a new specimen will be required.

Ship To:
[Insert CDC Point of Contact]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
RDSB/STATT Unit 52
1600 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
[Insert CDC Point of Contact’s Telephone Number]

All samples must be shipped in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations.

Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

2 Weeks

2.8