Oregon State Public Health Laboratory
Instructions for Submitting Influenza Specimens
Specimens should be collected within 3 days of clinical onset and not later than 5 days after onset from patients.
Acceptable Specimens include the following:
- Nasopharyngeal swabs- specimen of choice
- Nasal and throat swabs
- Nasopharyngeal, nasal and throat washes
- Bronchial washes
- Tracheal aspirates
- Sputum
- Bronchoalveolar lavages in a small amount of transport media
- Other respiratory collection sites may be considered
Swab specimens should be collected using swabs made of Dacron polyester tip or flocked swabs on a plastic shaft (wooden shafts are not acceptable). These swabs are supplied in the State Virus Isolation Collection Kit. Swab specimens must be inserted into viral transport media and refrigerated after collection and shipped at 2-8°C. Do not submit a dry swab for testing as this could result in an unsatisfactory status. Use a cold pack for shipping if it will take longer than 24 hours for transit. If shipment of the specimens cannot occur within 72 hours from date of collection, specimens may be frozen, preferably at -70°C, and shipped on dry ice at a later date. Be sure to package specimens properly for transport.
Complete all required fields on the Virology test request form (Form 42). Both the test request form and the specimen container label must be labeled with the patient name or unique identifier and/or other relevant information or the sample will not be tested. Make sure to mark the “other “ test box and write in Influenza. If it’s an official outbreak, don’t forget the outbreak number in the upper right of the form.
Unacceptable specimens include:
- Swabs with calcium alginate, cotton tips, or wooden shafts
- Specimens not refrigerated
- Specimens with insufficient volume (less than 0.8 mL)
- Specimens with incomplete/incorrect labeling or documentation (request form)
- Specimens that have dried out
- Specimens collected more than 14 days after onset
OSPHL Contact Information:
Oregon State Public Health Laboratory
Virology/Immunology Section
P.O. Box 235
Portland, OR 97207-0275
For Additional Information: 503-693-4100