Preferred Conditions for Processing (PCR) Specimen Requirements

PCR Validated Specimens

The following samples have been validated for Toxoplasma testing in our laboratory:

Amniotic fluid
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Ocular fluids
Serum
Solid tissues
Urine
Whole blood

PCR Reports

Toxoplasma PCR results will be reported as follows:

"Toxoplasma gondii DNA not detected."
"Toxoplasma gondii DNA detected."

Preferred Conditions for Processing, Storing, and Shipping Specimens for Toxoplasma PCR Testing¹

Specimen Type	Specimen Age	Shipping Conditions	Minimum Volume¹	Recommended Volume¹
Amniotic fluid (collected at ≥18 weeks gestation)	Up to one month when stored refrigerated; indefinite when stored frozen	2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs preferred; frozen acceptable; overnight delivery	3 ml	10 ml
BAL	Up to one month when stored refrigerated; indefinite when stored frozen	2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs; frozen acceptable; overnight delivery	3ml	10 ml
CSF	Up to one month when stored refrigerated; indefinite when stored frozen	Frozen preferred; 2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs acceptable; overnight delivery	0.4 ml	1 ml
Ocular fluids (vitreous and aqueous)	Up to one month when stored refrigerated; indefinite when stored frozen	Frozen preferred; 2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs acceptable; overnight delivery	0.1 ml	0.5 ml
Serum	Up to one month when stored refrigerated; indefinite when stored frozen	Frozen preferred; 2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs acceptable; overnight delivery	1 ml	5 ml
Whole blood Bone marrow	Up to 2 days (DO NOT FREEZE)	EDTA or citrate tube; 20 – 25° C preferred; overnight delivery	1 ml	5 ml
Urine	Up to one week when stored refrigerated; indefinite when stored frozen	2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs preferred; frozen acceptable; overnight delivery	6 ml	10 ml
Solid tissues	Up to 24 hours when stored refrigerated; indefinite when stored frozen; NO preservatives	Frozen preferred; 2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs acceptable; overnight delivery	25 mg	50 mg

Covid PCR results will be reported as follows:

"Positive"
"Negative"

Preferred Conditions for Processing, Storing, and Shipping Specimens for Covid PCR Testing1

Specimen Type	Specimen Age	Shipping Conditions	Volume¹
Nasopharyngeal Swab	Up to five days when stored ambient or refrigerated	Ambient; 2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs; overnight delivery	Swab in transport media (viral transport media preferred)
Oropharyngeal Swab	Up to five days when stored ambient or refrigerated	Ambient; 2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs; overnight delivery	Swab in transport media (viral transport media preferred)
Nasal Swab	Up to five days when stored ambient or refrigerated	Ambient; 2 – 8° C on ice or cold packs; overnight delivery	Swab in transport media (viral transport media preferred)

¹The Remington Laboratory will test specimens that deviate from these conditions. However, sensitivity might be compromised. Please contact our laboratory at (650) 853-4828 for any questions about testing specimens that do not conform to these conditions.

Preferred Conditions for Processing (PCR) Specimen Requirements

PCR Validated Specimens

PCR Reports

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