Postmortem Specimen Collection

Purpose

In the event of the death of a patient under investigation (PUI) for AFM, follow the instructions below to collect postmortem specimens for testing.

Specimens to Collect to Send to ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø for Testing

In the event of the death of a patient under investigation (PUI) for AFM, please send the following specimens, if possible.

Formalin-fixed or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue

  • In the event of death, prior to shipping, please contact the IDPB at [email protected] for pre-approval to submit formalin-fixed tissues.

Collection and storage

  • Autopsy tissue blocks – Only acceptable if embedded within 2 weeks (or within 4 weeks for brain) after being placed in formalin.
  • Autopsy wet tissue – Only acceptable if the duration of formalin-fixation has been within 2 weeks (or within 4 weeks for brain) or if tissues have been transferred to 70% ethanol within 2 weeks (or within 4 weeks for brain) after initial placement in formalin.
  • Review Specimen Collection Recommendations for Pathologic Evaluation of Central Nervous System Infections.
  • Blocks & wet tissue – Store at room-temperature.

Preparing specimens for shipment

  • Blocks – Ship at room-temperature, but may be shipped with a frozen cold pack during hot summer months to prevent them from melting.
  • Wet tissue – Ship at room-temperature in suitable leak proof containers.
  • Review Specimen Storage and Shipping Guidance.

Fresh-frozen tissue

  • Fresh-frozen tissues may be acceptable under limited circumstances.
  • In the event of death, prior to shipping, please contact the IDPB at [email protected] for pre-approval to submit fresh-frozen tissues.

Collection and storage

  • Do not add any media to specimens.
  • Freeze specimens (-20°C or lower) immediately and ship within 24 to 48 hours of collection.
  • If specimens must be stored for more than 48 hours, freeze immediately at -70°C or lower and ship within 4 weeks of collection.

Preparing specimens for shipment

  • Ship tissue specimens frozen on dry ice in leak proof plastic containers.
  • Do not ship specimen in glass containers.
  • Do not add any transport media.
  • Review Specimen Storage and Shipping Guidance.

Shipping

For specimen requirements and specimen submission instructions, including shipment address, see Test Order - Pathologic or Molecular Evaluation of Fixed Tissues for Possible Infectious Etiologies ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø-10365.

Reminder‎

Work with your health department to coordinate submission of specimens for testing at ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø. Prior to shipping please contact Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch (IDPB) at [email protected] for pre-approval of specimen submission.

For additional information on IDPB's specimen requirements and specimen submission instructions, including shipment address, see Test Order - Pathologic or Molecular Evaluation of Fixed Tissues for Possible Infectious Etiologies ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø-10365.