sampling and submission of lab samples Flashcards
what are laboratory diagnostics?
a set of physical, chemical, toxicological, microscopic, pathanatomical, bacteriological, virological, mycological, hematological, biochemical, immunological, parasitological and molecular tests
samples can come from
live animals - sick or healthy
dead animals
from animal environment - living or non living
5 main laboratory groups
- microbiological - bacteriological, virological and mycological
- serological
- pathohistological
- blood assay - whole blood and biochemistry
- chemical-toxicological
microbiological tests include
bacteriological, virological, mycological
general principles on sample collection
-take samples ASAP (especially for viral or enteric bacteria)
- collect samples form in contact animals too
- collect specimens as aseptically as possible
how much blood for serology
at least 5ml
how much tissue sample
approximately 2cm3
what to put on the form for the lab
- name and address, protocol number and date
- name, surname, address and number of owner
- data on animal - species, sex, breed, age, signs, name, microchip number etc
- list of materials sent and date of sampling
- type fo lab assay
- clinical diagnosis - disease suspicion, possible pathological and morphological charges
- epizootiological data and data on treatment - drugs, duration
- name, surname and signature of person who sent material
best lab test for bacterial infection
direct microscopic exam of exudate
can get info on number, morphological characteristics and gram staining properties of microorganisms and host cellular response
specimen collection for bacterial infection
- collect from actual site of infection with minimum contamination
- transport to lab without contamination or change in relative number of bacteria
- if biopsy or FNA, skin decontamination does before
- collect aș early as possible in disease process
- get specimen before atb given if possible
swab should never be submitted from
currettings, biopsy material, fluid (esp urine) or surgically removed tissue
how to transport swabs
in a transport medium or in humidified transporting chamber
because bacteria susceptible to desiccation during transport
transporting anaerobes
need special transport devices to prevent exposure to lethal concentration of oxygen
when should blood be taken
first blood culture specimen taken at onset of fever
or take 3-4 cultures within 1-3h - if more than one culture yields the same organism it is probably significant
when would you consider contamination of mid stream voided urine
when less than 10 5 cfg/ml are isolated
best way to sample urine
cystocentesis
when to collect urine by catheterisation
when it will be performed for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons anyway
how to store urine sample
in sterile capped syringe or capped container/tube
if not cultured within 1-2h, must be in fridge for max 8h
how to collect transudate/exudate samples
sterile needle and syringe
antiseptic prep of skin
specimen put in anaerobic transport device
if a wash is used - can’t contain any bacteriostatic preservative
buffered solution eg lactated ringers solution is best as isotonic saline can be acidic
collection of faeces
2-3g preferred amount
in clean, sealed, leak proof containers
tissue sample collection
abscess sample should contain pus and abscess wall
should be placed (unfixed and without preservative) in sealed, leak proof and sterile container
in fridge if delay to lab
consideration when taking samples from necropsy
take samples for microbiology first as excessive tissue sampling and exposure can cause additional contamination