Specimen Type/Requirements

Glass Slides - 3 Thick and 3 Thin Smears from fresh sample (preferred), fingerstick or venipuncture

or
Lavender top (EDTA) tube - 3 Thick and 3 Thin Smears (must be made within 2 hours of collection)

Smear Instructions: 

1.  Prepare thick smears by placing one drop of blood from a fingerstick or the tip of phlebotomy needle onto the end of a slide.  Spread the blood around with the corner of another slide to make the smear the size of a dime.  A proper thick smear is thin enough that print can be read through it. 

2.  Prepare thin smears in the same manner in which a smear for differential is made.

For venipuncture:  Use a syringe with no anticoagulant (preferred) making the smears from the end of the needle. 

Note:  EDTA anticoagulant is also acceptable to use if slides are made within 2 hours of collection.

Provider patient information about travel outside of the US (when and where) and if taking any medications.

Preferred draw time is 10-12 hours after a chill.

Usual incubation time is 1-3 weeks, but several strains have longer incubation periods.

Test is not affected by hemolysis or lipemia.