Specimen Type
See Collection Instructions
Performing Lab
San Diego Public Health Lab
Epic ID
Other Reference Test
Lab Test Days
Monday-Friday
Standard TAT
4-15 Days
Collection Information
Specimen Required
16-30 mL Pre-antitoxin Blood
Container Type
Red Top (No Additive)
Collection Instructions
Collect 16-30 mL blood from a free flowing site. Hemolyzed or low volume serum will not be tested. Label with patient's name, pre-antitoxin serum, date and time of collection. When recommended by the public health epidemiologist, 25 gm feces unpreserved or 25 mL of a sterile water enema and/or 25 mL gastric aspirate, if taken within 72 hours of symptom onset. Physician MUST complete the Adult Botulism requisition and submit with specimen to lab.
Processing Information - Lab Use Only
Transport Temperature
Refrigerate-Only
Rejection Criteria
Hemolysis; Low volume
Test Volume Required
15 mL Serum
Minimum Test Volume
8 mL Serum
Processing Instructions
Centrifuge and separate serum into a transfer tube and refrigerate specimen. Samples should be maintained at 4-10 C during transit. Do not pack with dry ice or allow cold packs to directly contact the samples. When recommended by the public health epidemiologist, 25 gm feces unpreserved or 25 mL of a sterile water enema and/or 25 mL gastric aspirate, if taken within 72 hours of symptom onset. Submit the completed Adult Botulism requisition with specimen(s) refrigerated. Send with Dynamex courier to San Diego County Public Health.
Comments
NOTE: The patient's physician MUST have discussed the case and received approval from the local health department and the State's Communicable Disease Control Duty Officer of the Day PRIOR to submission of specimens. SDPH Lab contact numbers (619) 692-8500; Fax (619) 692-8558.
Revised
01-13-17
Initials
JZ