Serum

• Centrifuge the blood samples at 2500 G during 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 sending them by cooled transport (4 degrees Celsius).

Serum for PCR test

• We recommend transporting at -20 degrees Celsius or with dry ice.

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 PCR test

• AR PCR: fresh swabs have to be sent in transport medium (containing antibiotics). This transport medium can be purchased from GD.
• Swabs have to be delivered within 24 hours after sampling by cooled transport (4 degrees Celsius).
• Swabs in transport medium can also be put in a stove at 37 degrees Celsius for a period of 24 hours. After this the samples can be sent by cooled transport (4 degrees Celsius) and delivered within 36 hours. The samples have to be in transport medium.
• Streptococcus suis: Fresh swabs, in selective transport medium, have to be sent in to the laboratory. The transport medium including can be ordered at GD. The storage life of the medium is one week (calculated from date of production of the medium).
• Please send in as quickly as possible after sampling to our laboratory.
• Swine Influenza: selective transport medium can be used.

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.
• Do not use formalin!

Organs for culturing

• Please send in as quickly as possible.
• We recommend using 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 histology

• Cut the tissue into small pieces of approx. 1 cm3 and place in a 4% formalin solution.
• 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.