Specimen Type/Volume

Fluid collected aseptically into leakproof containers, EDTA, or red-top tubes. Specimen types include bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), cavity fluids, CSF, synovial.

Shipping Information

Ship samples in a leakproof tube with an freezer pack. Do not include slides in the refrigerated portion of containers. Place slides in rigid plastic or styrofoam holders to prevent breakage. Overnight shipping is recommended.

Collection Protocol

Aseptically collect fluid. Transfer fluid into leakproof containers. If fluid is hemorrhagic, use EDTA blood collection tubes. Also include plain red-top or plastic collection containers if bacterial culture is anticipated (EDTA is bacteriostatic.) Prepare 2 direct and 2 concentrated air-dried, labelled, unstained, unfixed smears. Refrigerate, do not freeze the samples. Do not ship with formalin fixed tissues.

Additional Information

Testing includes (as appropriate) a nucleated cell count, protein concentration, cytocentrifuged slide preparation, mucin clot, direct or concentrated slide preparation, staining and interpretation of smears. See Clinical Pathology section-Reference intervals for cavity fluids* [10] of the User's Guide.