Peripheral bloods for DNA/Molecular testing and/or Cytogenetic testing can be collected at any local collection site. In Nova Scotia please provide patient with a completed requisition which they should take to the collection site of their choice. (https://www.nshealth.ca/laboratory-services/blood-collection).
|
Sample type |
Testing ordered |
Container |
Volume/Size required |
|
Amniotic fluid# |
Molecular |
15mL Conical Tubes |
20-30mL |
|
Peripheral Blood |
Molecular |
EDTA vacutainer |
Adults, 3ml Newborns, <1 month, 1mL |
|
Cytogenetics |
Sodium Heparin vacutainer |
Adults, 3-5 mL Newborns, <1 month, 2mL |
|
|
Bone Marrow |
Cytogenetics |
Sodium Heparin vacutainer |
2-4mL |
|
Buccal Swab |
Molecular |
Cytology brush |
Two cytology brushes |
|
Cord blood# |
Molecular |
EDTA vacutainer |
2-4mL |
|
Cytogenetics |
Sodium Heparin vacutainer |
2-4mL |
|
|
CVS# - Call is required that sample is being sent |
Molecular |
15 mL Conical tube or sterile specimen container in sterile media or saline** |
10-15mg minimum |
|
Lymph Node |
Cytogenetics |
Sterile specimen container in sterile media or saline** |
>5 mm3 TUMOUR BIOPSY |
|
Skin Biopsy*† |
Molecular |
Sterile specimen container in sterile media or saline** |
3 mm minimum punch biopsy |
|
Cytogenetics** |
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|
Tissue# – Product of Conception |
Molecular## |
Sterile specimen container. Send frozen |
Autopsy performed - psoas preferred (100mg) |
|
No autopsy performed - Piece of cord preferred (100mg) |
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|
Tissue* – Post Mortem |
Molecular## |
Sterile specimen container. Send frozen |
>5 mm3 |
|
Cytogenetics** |
Sterile specimen container in sterile media or saline*** |
>5 mm3 |
|
|
Tumour* |
Cytogenetics** |
Sterile specimen container in sterile media or saline*** |
>5 mm3 representative TUMOUR tissue |
#Maternal blood sent in EDTA is required.
##Samples sent for any molecular genetic testing should not be exposed to Formalin.
† For skin biopsies, clean skin surface 3 times with 70% isopropyl alcohol by either pouring over the skin surface, or using sterile cotton pads saturated by dipping in the alcohol from a sterile container. Skin should be allowed to air dry between applications. Never use betadine as it can inhibit or prevent cell growth. For numbing the area, use 2% lidocaine or 2% lidocaine w/epinephrine 1:100,000 using a small gauge (22G) needle just under the skin to create a bleb.
*All tissue and tumour samples must be collected under sterile conditions
**Cytogenetic testing cannot be done on samples that have been frozen.
***Tissue culture media can be obtained from the Cytogenetics Lab or may be substituted with sterile normal saline.