Dermal or Spinal Fluid

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Dermal
1. Obtain M4-RT or M6 viral transport media.
2. Collect dermal or lesion specimen using appropriate culture transport swab.
3. Place the swab in M4-RT or M6 viral transport media.
4. Label the tube with the patient’s full name, date of birth, identification number, date and time of collection, initials of the person collecting the specimen, and the specimen source.
5. Send the specimen refrigerated. 
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
7. The specimen source is required on the request form for processing.

Spinal Fluid
1. 0.5 mL (0.3 mL minimum) of spinal fluid.
2. Place the specimen in a screw-capped, sterile vial.
3. Label the vial with the patient’s full name, date of birth, identification number, date and time of collection, initials of the person collecting the specimen, and the specimen source.
4. Send the specimen refrigerated.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
6. The specimen source is required on the request form for processing.

87798 - Varicella Zoster Virus by PCR (EAP 30050355)