Wound Pathogens Panel Collection

Specimen Collection, Labelling, Storage, Preservation, Transportation, Processing and Referral for Wound Pathogens Panel

Sensitive molecular assays must utilize efficient, controlled, and robust specimen collection techniques. Careful attention is required when collection is performed using a Copan ESwab Liquid Amies Collection Kit to ensure quantity is adequate while avoiding the collection of superficial flora.

General Guidelines:

• Open, draining wounds and decubitus ulcers.
• Cleanse and debride the wound with sterile gauze and 0.9% sterile saline.
• Samples are collected using the Copan ESwab Liquid Amies collection kit.
• Using the flocked tip of the specimen swab, wipe the wound base (and margins)
• Gently turn the swab and allow it to absorb any visible secretions. Collect as much visible exudate as possible.
• Withdraw the swab carefully to avoid contamination.
• Place swab(s) into the sterile vial containing 1.0 mL of Liquid Amies transporting medium.
• Break the swab at the scored line on the shaft. Discard the shaft.
• Recap the transport tube carefully to ensure that the cap seals tightly.
• Label the vial with the patient’s first and last name, date of birth, the date and time of collection and specimen type.
• Loculated, palpable lesions
• The surface of wound/abscess should be carefully cleansed and debrided using sterile gauze and saline before attempting to aspirate the specimen.
• Aspirate the specimen using 0.5 ml of sterile saline and place 0.2 mL of the aspirate directly into 1.0 mL of Liquid Amies transporting medium.
• Careful attention is required when collecting aspirate to ensure quantity is adequate while avoiding the collection of superficial flora.  

Storage Conditions:

The specimen will be processed (nuclear extraction) for analysis within 72 hours after collection at the laboratory, keep it at room temperature (20-25ºC) or refrigerate at (2-8ºC). Otherwise, store refrigerated and ship on wet ice or refrigerant gel-packs. Avoid freezing specimens. Specimens that are frozen and then thawed release nucleases capable of cleaving the phosphodiester bonds of nucleic acids and may result in false negative test results. Refrigerated specimens will reach and maintain ambient temperature while preparing the sample for analysis. The Copan ESwab™ Liquid Amies collection devices used in this protocol stabilizes the bacterial count and parameters for up to 72 hours at room temperature. The specimens do not require refrigeration. The Copan ESwab™ Liquid Amies collection devices are suitable for extended processing and transport times, and for microbiological diagnosis, however, samples will be rejected if specimen exceeds the 72-hour limit specified by the in-house stability studies. Once the specimen has been processed, the extracted nucleic material may be stored frozen at approximately -20ºC in a non-frost-free freezer and shipped on dry ice if necessary.  If the analytical system fails, then processed patient samples are stored in -20°C non-frost-free freezer. Extracted samples can be stored at -15 to -20°C for up to 16 months.