Acanthamoeba PCR

Pathology category

Microbiology - Referred samples

Code

ACAN

Referral code

Request form

Test information

Samples submitted for investigation include: Aqueous and vitreous humour, corneal scrapings, contact lens cases and cleaning fluid.Scrape: Under topical anaesthesia, with assistant or speculum as required a scrapeshould be taken gently with a no.11 blade, smeared and the blade discarded.Any materials used in taking these samples must be discarded in an approved clinical waste and/or sharps container.

Guidelines

Pre-analytical

Swabs should be sent in sealed plastic bags, contact lens fluids, aqueous/vitreous fluids and corneal scrapes should be sent in sterile leak proof laboratory supplied containers.Specimens should be transported and processed as soon as possible. If processing is delayed, refrigeration is preferable to storage at ambient temperature. Delays of over 48h are undesirable.

Reference range

Tube type

Tube type info

Special requirements

Minimum volume

Assay frequency

TAT Inpatient (urgent)

7 days

TAT Inpatient

TAT GP/Outpatient

Referral lab

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine