SAMPLE SUBMISSION

Even before samples for serological examination are taken, consideration should be given to how and when they will be transported to the laboratory. Wherever possible samples should be taken on a day which will allow their delivery to the laboratory within 24 hours, with arrival occurring on a week-day. If it is unavoidable that the samples arrive outside normal office hours, or if there is special urgency in obtaining the results, the laboratory should be consulted before the samples are taken. This will allow the scheduling of the appropriate tests to minimize turn-around time.

If the samples are collected in one of the manners described above and delivered to the laboratory within 24 hours they should be suitable for examination. At times of high environmental temperature it is worth taking extra care. This may involve, for instance, collecting samples aseptically, chilling the samples and packing material prior to dispatch, and using well-insulated packaging. If samples are likely to be more than 24 hours in transit then consideration should be given to the use of insulated boxes with ice-packs. Even if everything has been done right up to this point and the right number of samples have been taken and they arrive in good condition at the laboratory, things can still go wrong. Inadequate grouping or identification of samples is occasionally a problem. The sera should be securely packed in the groups by which it is expected the results will be reported (e.g. by pen, sex, or house). Clip-seal plastic bags are ideal for this purpose. The group should be properly identified (preferably by writing on the tubes or the bag). The various groups from the same farm should then be packed together in a single bag and the farm name should be written on it. Finally it is important that the laboratory be informed clearly and unequivocally what tests are required, and on how many of the samples. Do not assume that the laboratory "knows the programme" because programmes change and the laboratory will usually be dealing with different companies, each with one or more programmes for blood testing. The simplest way of achieving this is to obtain from the laboratory a block of blank sample submission forms (most laboratories will have a specific form for serology samples). Figure 2.4 shows an example of such a form. In addition to providing all of the information required this form includes some "tips" for taking good samples and, when folded in 4, may be placed in a self-adhesive "Documents Enclosed" pouch and stuck to the outside of the package to act as a label.

Figure 2.4 A serology sample submission form.

Form HVS-2 __ __ __ __ Request for Serological Testing................. __ __ |
Farm:Code |__|__|__|__| Farm Name:________________ Company |__|__|_________ |B- - |
Species/Type|__|__| Houses |__|__|__|__|__|__| Age |__|__| weeks/days Date Hatched __/__/__
Strain _______ Sampled by :__________________ Date Sampled __/__/__\par --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\par \plain\fs16\ul Procedures required : CHOOSE CAREFULLY THE TESTS REALLY REQUIRED
.Number tests per House ---------------------------- Number tests per House
SAG Mycoplasma gallisepticum - |___| | HI Newcastle - - - - - - - - - - - -|___|
SAG Mycoplasma synoviae - - - |___| | HI Infectious Bronchitis - - - - - - |___|
SAG Mycoplasma meleagridis- - |___| | - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - |___|
Elisa S.enteritidis- - - - - - - - - - |___| | HI Inf. Bron. Variant 793B- - - - -|___|
Elisa Gumboro - - - - - - - - - - - |___| | HI Eds-76- - - - - - - - - - - - - - |___|
Elisa TRT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |___| | Storage at Lab.- - - - - - - - - - - |___|
CAV (Chick Anaemia Virus) - - -|___| | OTHER:___________________|___|
Note: Multiple tests can be performed with the same sample.\par Results will normally be reported to the person designated by the company for type of bird
Comment: ___________________________________________________________________________
For Office Use Only : Date Received __/__/__ Condition ______________________

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Form HVS-2 Blood for Serology...................... | HINTS FOR GOOD SERUM SAMPLES
..........................................................................| 1. Plan for samples to arrive on a week-day.
......................................................................... | 2. Use sample tubes provided.
URGENT PATHOLOGICAL SPECIMEN (B) |
=========================== ............| 3. -fill tube with blood and firmly cap.
_______________________________ ..........|
To:|....................................................... |......... | 4. Lay tube on side until blood coagulates
.....| HILLSDOWN VET. SERVICES...|......... | (If very cold leaving in a warm place for
.....| Veterinary Laboratory.................... |......... | about an hour will speed this.)
.....| Marsh Lane.....................................|..........|
.....| Hemingford Grey.............................|......... | 5. Complete the upper half of this form, fold
.....| Huntingdon,.....................................|..........| in 4 and place in a "Documents Enclosed"
.....| Cambs ............................................|.........| pouch with the address visible. Peel off
.....| PE18 9EN...................................... |.........| backing and stick to outside of package.
.... |____________________________|......... |____________________________________
....... ........................................................................Good samples lead to good, prompt results