Standard Diagnostic Manual

1. SPECIMEN COLLECTION

Proper collection of samples is important to obtain valuable diagnostic information.

No matter how good the laboratory are methods used, it is impossible to obtain satisfactory information with samples that are collected improperly.

Source of Specimen :

- animals (whole body, organs including lymph nodes, digestive tract)

- environment (feed, water, soil)

Purposes of Specimen Collection :

- to establish a disease diagnosis

- to obtain a health surveillance

- to monitor immune response to vaccination

- to monitor the disease status

Cautions for Specimen Collection :

- appropriate samples

- adequate in number and amount

- avoid unnecessary stress or damage to the animals

- avoid any danger to the operator

- apply aseptic techniques, especially for microorganism isolation

- avoid cross-contamination, especially samples collected from the digestive tract
and other organs

Specimen Transportation :

- pack carefully (to avoid leakage or cross-contamination)

- label appropriately (to indicate the origin of the material, the relevant history, tests
required, etc.)

- store for delivery in a cooler bag filled with ice or dry ice

- consult official shippings regulations within 48 h to the laboratory

Required Data to be sent with specimen : (** see Document 1 )

- name and address of owner and sender

- tentative diagnosis

- species and samples submited including transport medium used and tests required

- animal history (identification, introduction, clinical singns, and their duration
vaccination program)

- epidemiological data (number of animals, sick, dead, disease status, description of
the spread)

- treatment

Remark : 1) In case of some specific disease must sent taget organ to laboratory such as BSE
diagnosis, brain (obex) is the taget organ

2) Please directly contact to the responsibility laboratory before seding the hazard
or infected agent for the proper and safty transportation.

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