Molecular Microbiology Specimen Submission

How to Submit a Specimen

Step 1.

In order to streamline specimen intake and result transmission we are encouraging our providers to set up an account with our laboratory. This will enable us to provide a copy of the order form with specific client code and pre-filled information associated with the account. It will also help us fax results automatically to providers.

If you do not already have an account, please contact our client services department at 800-713-5198 or email commserv@uw.edu to start the process.

Fill out an Order Form ensuring that at least two specimen identifiers are included on both the order form and the specimen itself.

Step 2.

Package the order form along with the specimen. The following describes shipping conditions and preferred specimen handling procedures for samples submitted to the Molecular Microbiology Lab. Please refer to Specialty Specimens for Molecular Microbiology for more information.

Specimen Type

Fresh Tissues and Fluids

  • Fresh tissues and fluids are preferred to fixed material (see below).
  • Tissue or fluid placed in a sterile, DNA-free container is optimal for testing.
  • Some anticoagulants and additives can interfere with testing. Please refer to Associated Tests for more information.
  • For solid tissue, we do not process more than 1 cubic cm.
  • Ship fresh tissue or fluid specimens frozen (on dry ice).

Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues

  • Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue (PET) is accepted.
  • PET cassettes are preferred to sections or unstained slides.
  • We will return the cassette upon completion of testing. If the entire PET cassette cannot be released, we do accept unstained slides or sections from the tissue in a DNA-free tube with two patient identifiers.
  • For samples with a cross-sectional area greater than 1cm2, please submit 10 sections of 10 micron thickness. For samples with less tissue, please submit 20 sections of 10 micron thickness if available.
  • Unless instructed otherwise, if >1 PET per requisition is submitted, tissue from a maximum of 2 PETs is chosen and combined in 1:1 ratio. For analysis of >2 PETs, separate requisitions are required. Blocks from different body sites will be considered separate tests and should be accompanied by separate request forms.
  • Multiple cassettes can be pooled into a single assay. Simply indicate the desired combination(s) on the request form (eg. "Please combine blocks 9620A and 9620B for single assay"). Please note: combining two or more PET specimens for a single assay will result in testing of less material from each PET, potentially reducing the overall sensitivity.
  • Formalin fixation dramatically reduces the sensitivity of the assays due to reduced template yield and quality. Fresh tissue is the optimal specimen of choice, as it reduces the chance of introducing exogenous DNA templates or microorganisms during embedding/fixation.
  • Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPE, PET) can be sent ambient or with ice packs during warmer summer months to prevent melting.

Bacterial and Fungal Isolates

  • Bacteria or fungi growing on solid media are preferred.
  • Specimens submitted in broth culture or smear-positive blood culture are also accepted.
  • Fresh subculture of viable organism required.
  • Please indicate Gram stain result and any other phenotypic observations on the request form.
  • Ship organisms at room temperature.

Step 3.

Packaging and Transport

We ask all clients sending specimens to us to adopt a uniform specimen packaging procedure in order to ensure the safety of our couriers, and to make our processing workflow as streamlined as possible.

  • All specimens should be contained in sealed plastic specimen bags.
  • The specimen bags should display the Biohazard logo.
  • Each specimen bag should contain enough absorbent material to contain all of the contents of specimen tubes in case of breakage.
  • Each specimen should be accompanied by the corresponding requisition sheet, folded and placed in the outside pocket of the specimen bag.

Step 4.

Ship specimens adhering to the above criteria via courier service (FedEx First Overnight recommended) to the following address:

Shipping Address

Attn: Molecular Microbiology
UW CLSPS
1601 Lind Ave SW Room 117
Renton, WA 98057
Phone: 206-520-4600
Alternate phone: 206-598-6147

Associated Tests

Code Name Specimen
ASEQID AFB ID by Sequence Analysis Pure Culture
ASPDNA Aspergillus fumigatus DNA detection by PCR Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
BSEQID Bacteria ID by Sequence Analysis Pure Culture
NGS16S Bacterial detection by 16S NGS This only available as a reflexive test,...
NRBDNA Bacterial DNA Detection by PCR (without reflex to NGS) Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
BWGSID Bacterial ID by Whole Genome Sequencing Pure Culture
BCTDNA Bacterial PCR reflex NGS Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
NGSTYP Bacterial Strain Typing by Whole Genome Sequencing Pure culture of bacterial organisms
BRTDNA Bartonella DNA detection by PCR Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
COCDNA Coccidioides DNA detection by PCR Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
CRYDNA Cryptococcus DNA detection by PCR Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
ENBDNA Enterobacterales DNA Detection This only available as a reflexive test,...
NGSITS Fungal DNA Detection by ITS Next Gen Seq This only available as a reflexive test,...
NRFDNA Fungal DNA Detection by PCR (without reflex to NGS) Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
FUNDNA Fungal PCR reflex NGS Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
HISDNA Histoplasma DNA detection by PCR Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
LEGDNA Legionella DNA detection by PCR Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
LSHDNA Leishmania species DNA detection by PCR Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
MECPCR mecA by PCR Pure culture
MSEQID Mold ID by Sequence Analysis Pure Culture
MTBWGR MTB Resistance by Whole Genome Sequencing Pure Culture
TBCDNA M. tuberculosis complex DNA Detection Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
MAVDNA Mycobacterium avium complex DNA Detection Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
MCHDNA Mycobacterium chimaera DNA detection by PCR Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
MPLDNA Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma DNA Detection by PCR Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
NTMDNA Nontuberculous Mycobacteria DNA Detection Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
PNEDNA Pneumocystis DNA detection by PCR Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
TOXDNA Toxoplasma DNA detection by PCR Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
TPLDNA Treponema pallidum DNA detection by NAAT Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
TWHDNA Tropheryma whipplei DNA detection by PCR Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedde...
YSEQID Yeast ID by Sequence Analysis Pure Culture

Last updated 2024-08-30T16:03:39.026590+00:00