Specimen Requirements

Specimen source is required.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Specimen Type: Hair

Container/Tube: Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen Volume: At least 5 to 10 infected hairs

Collection Instructions:

1. Ointments and other cutaneous preparations may interfere with this prep.

2. Label container with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth and/or Social Security number, and date and time of collection.

Specimen Type: Nails (finger or toe)

Container/Tube: Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen Volume: 3 to 5 clippings

Collection Instructions:

1. Ointments and other cutaneous preparations may interfere with this prep.

2. Label container with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth and/or Social Security number, and date and time of collection.

Specimen Type: Skin scrapings

Container/Tube: Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen Volume: 3 to 5 small pieces

Collection Instructions:

1. Scrape dry skin around lesion.

2. Ointments and other cutaneous preparations may interfere with this prep.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth and/or Social Security number, and date and time of collection.

Alternate:

Specimen Type: Esophageal or throat

Container/Tube: Screw-capped, sterile container

Specimen Volume: Esophageal brush or throat swab

Collection Instructions: Label container with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth and/or Social Security number, and date and time of collection.