Serum

• Keep the blood samples at room temperature.
• Centrifuge the blood samples at 2500 G for 10 minutes.
• Serum samples can be stored at 2–8 degrees Celsius for one week.
• Storage for longer periods can be done at a temperature of -20 degrees Celsius.
• Transport of serum samples: we recommend using cooled transport (4 degrees Celsius).

Milk for ELISA tests

• Fill the tubes ¾ full.
• If the period between sampling and delivery is longer than 24 hrs, please add preservative liquids to the samples (for example BSM II, with Bronopol and Natamycine).
• We recommend sending the samples by cooled transport (4 degrees Celsius).
• Samples can be stored for longer periods at a temperature of -20 degrees for a maximum of 6 months.

Milk for culturing

• Please fill the tubes ¾ full.
• Do not add any preservative liquids to the samples.
• The samples can be sent by cooled transport (4 degrees Celsius) or with dry ice.
• Please send in the samples by courier, so we will have them in our laboratory as soon as possible.

Milk for PCR test

• Add preservative tablets to the samples (for example BSM II, with Bronopol and Natamycine).
• Please send in the samples by cooled transport (4 degrees Celsius).
• We recommend having samples delivered between 24–48 hrs after sampling.

Faeces for culturing

• Always deliver as soon as possible after sampling.
• For transport longer than 1 day, use cooled transport (do not freeze the samples).

Faeces for PCR test

• Fresh samples can be delivered within several hours after sampling under normal transport conditions.
• For periods between sampling and receipt at the laboratory longer than several hours: send in samples by cooled transport (4 degrees Celsius) or transport with dry ice.

Swabs for culturing

• Swabs have to be in transport medium and delivered by cooled transport (4 degrees Celsius). The swabs cannot be frozen!
• Delivery time: please deliver as soon as possible after sampling, preferably within 48 hours.

Organs for PCR test

• If the time between sampling and delivery is several hours, then fresh samples can be sent directly to our laboratory.
• If the time between sampling and delivery is longer than one day, please send in by cooled transport (4 degrees Celsius).
• If the time between sampling and delivery is several days, please send in using dry ice or frozen transport.
• Make sure we receive the samples within 48 hours after sampling.
• Do not use formalin!

Organs for culturing

• Please send in as quickly as possible.
• We recommend using use cooled transport (4 degrees Celsius).
• Do not use formalin!

Organs for isolation

• If the time between sampling and delivery is several hours, then fresh samples can be sent directly to our laboratory.
• If the time between sampling and delivery is longer than one day, please send in by cooled transport (4 degrees Celsius).
• If the time between sampling and delivery is several days, please send in using dry ice or frozen transport.
• Do not use formalin!

Tissue/organs for histopathology

• Cut the tissue into small pieces of approx. 1 cm3 and place in a 10% buffered formalin solution (4% buffered formaldehyde).
• Use sufficient formalin to completely submerge the sample (1 part tissue to 10 parts formalin).
• Leave for 24 hours at room temperature in a sealed container. Reduce the 4% formalin volume prior to shipping.
• If the fixation of the tissue has already been done, then it is not necessary to use extra formalin during transport. Avoid fragmentation of small biopsies in particular during transport (happens if the liquid moves during transport caused by air in the container – can be avoided by filling the transport container completely with formalin).