Requisitions are available online at the University of Iowa Diagnostic Laboratories website.

1. For additional information on specific procedures, please refer to the individual listing within the Test Directory. Further questions may be referred to the Molecular Pathology Laboratory (319-384-9568).
   


2. Use universal precautions for handling all specimens.
   


3. All specimens must be appropriately labeled with the requisition number sticker from the corresponding requisition if available or with the patient name and patient identifier.
   


4. Specimens should be in tightly sealed, leak proof containers. Specimens which are externally contaminated will be rejected

Anatomic Pathology and Oncology specimens:

1. Whole blood collected in EDTA (pink tube) are preferred or (lavender tubes). Please contact the Molecular Pathology Lab for other optiotns. Transport blood to the laboratory at room temperature within 24 hours.


Minimum volume for processing is 3 mL of whole blood for adults and 1 mL for pediatric patients. Blood may be stored up to 24 hours at room temperature. Long term storage should be at 2-8°C.


2. Bone marrow collected in EDTA (pink tube). Please contact the Molecular Pathology Lab for other options. Transport bone marrow to the laboratory at room temperature within 24 hours.


Bone marrow may be held at room temperature without processing for up to 24 hours.


3. Extracted DNA samples may be transported at room temperature. They are best transported as an ethanol precipitate.
   


4. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue. Specimens fixed in B5 are not acceptable because heavy metal interferes with PCR reaction. Submit a stained slide with any tissue block.


minimum = 2, >5 μm sections


5. Tissue: 3 x 3 x 3 mm piece is optimal. Specimen should be frozen at < -20°C as soon as possible after collection and transported to the laboratory on dry ice.

Genetic specimens:

1. Whole blood collected in EDTA (pink tube). Please contact the Molecular Pathology Lab for other options. Transport blood to the laboratory at room temperature within 24 hours.
   

Minimum volume for processing is 3 ml of whole blood for adults and 1 ml for pediatric patients. Blood may be stored up to 24 hours at room temperature. Long term storage should be at 2-8°C.


2. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue. Specimens fixed in B5 are not acceptable because heavy metal interferes with PCR reaction.
   

Minimum = 2, 5>μm sections


3. Extracted DNA samples may be transported at room temperature. They are best transported as an ethanol precipitate.

Infectious Disease specimens

Hepatitis C (HCV) PCR Assays (Quantitative and Genotyping):

1. Whole blood collected in EDTA tube (pink preferred, 2 lavender or 2 white top).
   


2. Specimens anticoagulated with heparin are unsuitable for this test.
   


3. Transport the specimen at room temperature. Store blood at 2-25°C no longer than 6 hours.
   


4. Within 6 hours of blood draw, blood collection tubes must be centrifuged at 800 - 1600 x g for 20 minutes at room temperature. Store ppt tube at 2-8° C for up to 72 hours. Plasma from tubes must be separated into sterile tubes immediately after centrifugation. Plasma specimens may be frozen and thawed up to three times.

VRE – VanA/VanB - Vancomycin resistant enterococcus A, B, Qualitative PCR:

1. Peri-rectal swabs collected using - ESwab available from Hospital Stores (74541).
   


2. Transport the specimen at room temperature.
   

REFERENCES:

Package Inserts, Roche Molecular System, INC.

Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. F. Ausbel, R. Kingston, 1987

Puregene ® DNA Isolation Kit Procedure. Gentra Systems. 1997.

Qiagen EZ1 DNA Handbook, 2004.