Campylobacteriosis -Semen, preputial washings, fetal stomach contents, and cervical mucus should be obtained as aseptically as possible and delivered to the laboratory under refrigeration within five to six hours of collection. Alternatively, specimens may be frozen as soon as collected and shipped in an insulated contained with an adequate amount of dry ice. Commercial transport media is also available for shipping specimens. Brucellosis -Submit placenta, stomach content, aborted fetus, mammary lymph nodes or milk samples. Specimens should be shipped to the diagnostic laboratory under refrigerated conditions.
Listeriosis -Submit brain sample and indicate Listeria is suspected.
Specimens for Fungal Isolations Superficial mycoses -Hair and skin scrapings from the edge of active lesions are preferred for the isolation of dermatophytes. Submit in a small paper envelope. Saprophytic fungi will frequently proliferate rapidly and overgrow ringworm fungi in a sealed container. Feed samples -Stored grain, feed, hay or animal bedding may be sent in a closed container or bag. In patients with severe, already treated infections, more blood cultures may be required, with blood to be taken when the blood level of antimicrobial agent is lowest.