Table 3.

Types of specimen, collection material, and storage

Specimen type	Collection materials	Storage temperature until testing in-country laboratory	Recommended temperature for shipment according to expected shipment time
Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab	Dacron or polyester flockedswabs	2–8 °C	2–8 °C if ≤5 days –70 °C (dry ice) if > 5 days
Bronchoalveolar lavage	Sterile container	2–8 °C	2–8 °C if ≤2 days –70 °C (dry ice) if > 2 days
(Endo) tracheal aspirate, nasopharyngeal or nasal wash/aspirate	Sterile container	2–8 °C	2–8 °C if ≤2 days –70 °C (dry ice) if > 2 days
Sputum	Sterile container	2–8 °C	2–8 °C if ≤2 days –70 °C (dry ice) if > 2 days
Tissue from biopsy or autopsy including from lung.	Sterile container with saline orVTM	2–8 °C	2–8 °C if ≤2 days –70 °C (dry ice) if > 2 days
Serum	Serum separator tubes (adults:collect 3–5 ml whole blood).	2–8 °C	2–8 °C if ≤2 days –70 °C (dry ice) if > 2 days
Whole blood	Collection tube	2–8 °C	2–8 °C if ≤2 days –70 °C (dry ice) if > 2 days
Stool	Stool container	2–8 °C	2–8 °C if ≤2 days –70 °C (dry ice) if > 2 days
Urine	Urine collection container	2–8 °C	2–8 °C if ≤2 days–70 °C (dry ice) if > 2 days