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Lab Test Dictionary

Adult Botulism


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