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Test Order
Test Order
Cell Culture of Tissues for Infectious Agent Isolation CDC-10560
Synonym(s)
"Microbiology, cell culture, tissue culture, autopsy, pathology"
CDC Pre-Approval Needed
Supplemental Information Required
Please include the following information with each submission:
Omission of information on the CDC 50.34 Specimen Submission Form will lead to a delay in accessioning and testing, and potential rejection of specimen submission. Please include the following:
• Test order code
• Test order name
• Patient full name
• Patient birth date
• Date of death (if applicable)
• Patient ID (e.g., medical record number or autopsy number)
• Specimen ID (e.g., surgical pathology accession number)
• State public health laboratory (PHL) point of contact
• Original submitter contact information
One electronically completed copy of the CDC 50.34 Specimen Submission Form per case is sufficient, unless specimens are being submitted from multiple specimen collection dates in one package.
Requested additional information:
• A cover letter or copies of recent pertinent clinical notes outlining a brief clinical history, including relevant demographic/epidemiologic information
• A copy of: (a) the autopsy report (preliminary or final), or (b) surgical pathology report
• Copies of pertinent laboratory results (microbiology, hematology, serology, culture, and/or biochemical)
• Relevant clinical, gross pathology, or microscopic pathology images, as available
• A key listing the tissues submitted for evaluation
Omission of information on the CDC 50.34 Specimen Submission Form will lead to a delay in accessioning and testing, and potential rejection of specimen submission. Please include the following:
• Test order code
• Test order name
• Patient full name
• Patient birth date
• Date of death (if applicable)
• Patient ID (e.g., medical record number or autopsy number)
• Specimen ID (e.g., surgical pathology accession number)
• State public health laboratory (PHL) point of contact
• Original submitter contact information
One electronically completed copy of the CDC 50.34 Specimen Submission Form per case is sufficient, unless specimens are being submitted from multiple specimen collection dates in one package.
Requested additional information:
• A cover letter or copies of recent pertinent clinical notes outlining a brief clinical history, including relevant demographic/epidemiologic information
• A copy of: (a) the autopsy report (preliminary or final), or (b) surgical pathology report
• Copies of pertinent laboratory results (microbiology, hematology, serology, culture, and/or biochemical)
• Relevant clinical, gross pathology, or microscopic pathology images, as available
• A key listing the tissues submitted for evaluation
Supplemental Form
None
Performed on Specimens from
Human and Animal
Acceptable Sample/ Specimen Type for Testing
Frozen (un-fixed) autopsy, or necropsy tissues from any organ or site are acceptable. However, tissue specimens should be submitted from the site(s) of the patient’s disease process. If an infectious etiology is suspected, tissues should demonstrate histopathologic evidence of a possible infectious process. Tissue specimens submitted for infectious agent isolation must be fresh and not in formalin. The tissues must be kept on ice and be frozen as quickly as possible after removal from the body. Specimens suspected of infection with Category A pathogens will not be accepted. For list of agents, see https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/agentlist-category.asp
Minimum Volume Required
Not applicable
Collection, Storage, and Preservation of Specimen Prior to Shipping
Freeze specimens (-20°C or lower) immediately and ship within 24 to 48 hours of collection. Do not add any media to specimens. If specimens must be stored for more than 48 hours, freeze immediately at -70°C or lower and ship within 4 weeks of collection.
Transport Medium
No transport media necessary.
Specimen Labeling
Research or surveillance specimens may be labeled according to protocol. Labels should not include personally identifiable information. The results reported should NOT be used for diagnosis, treatment, assessment of health or management of the individual patient.
Shipping Instructions which Include Specimen Handling Requirements
CDC does not accept routine shipments on weekends or holidays. Please make sure packages arrive Monday – Friday. For urgent cases, contact IDPB (pathology@cdc.gov) immediately. Ship tissue specimens frozen on dry ice in leak proof plastic containers. Do not ship specimens in glass containers. Refer to the International Air Transport Association (IATA - www.iata.org) for requirements for shipment of human or potentially infectious biological specimens. Ship for overnight delivery.
Ship To:
[Insert CDC Point of Contact]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
RDSB/STATT Unit 109
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. Upon shipment, submitter should send an email to the CDC POC providing shipping company, shipped date and package tracking number.
Ship To:
[Insert CDC Point of Contact]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
RDSB/STATT Unit 109
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. Upon shipment, submitter should send an email to the CDC POC providing shipping company, shipped date and package tracking number.
Methodology
Microbiology (cell culture)
Turnaround Time
12 Weeks
Interferences & Limitations
Clinical treatment with antivirals, antibiotics, and antiparasitics may minimize growth potential of cultures. Long term refrigeration may minimize growth potential of cultures.
Additional Information
CDC Pre-Approval Needed:
• Contact Pre-approval POC
• Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch Mailbox
More specific guidelines regarding tissue sampling and submission can be found on the IDPB website: http://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dhcpp/idpb/specimen-submission/index.html
Turnaround Time is case-dependent:
• For routine human autopsy cases and animal cases turnaround time is 12 weeks.
CDC Points of Contact
Version
1.2
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