antibody titer is positive evidence of 
current infection with the responsible 
agent. The first sample should be col- 
lected as early in the illness as possible 
and the second from 2 to 4 weeks after 
the beginning of convalescence. Even 
in arbovirus infections antibody in the 
the first serum is only suggestive of 
recent infection and must be followed 
up with a second serum. 
c. Container for Specimen 
(1) Virus isolation. Materials for virus 
isolation must be frozen if it will take 
longer than a few hours to get them to 
the laboratory. This requires dry ice. 
Dry ice releases C0 2 gas which is 
deleterious to most viruses; therefore 
these specimens must be completely 
sealed off (flame-sealed ampules are 
best for fluid specimens). With samples 
placed in bottles closed with tightly 
fitting rubber stoppers, the tops should 
be sealed with at least three turns of 
high quality waterproof adhesive tape. 
If facilities for freezing stool specimens 
are not available, they can be emulsi- 
fied in an equal volume of 1 molar 
magnesium chloride and shipped in 
an insulated container with cans of 
frozen water (picnic cooler type) and 
packed in wood shavings. 
(2) Serological tests. The container must 
protect the specimen from loss by 
breakage as well as from contamination 
and deterioration. Serum samples in 
test tubes with tight rubber stoppers or, 
preferably, sleeve stoppers (reinforced 
by adhesive tape) are satisfactory. 
Cork stoppers are quite unsatisfactory, 
and the type of screw-cap vials fre- 
quently loosen and leakage occurs. 
d. Packing and Shipping of Specimens 
( 1 ) Virus isolation. Virus isolation sam- 
ples once ampuled should be quickly 
frozen (on dry ice) and maintained 
in the frozen state (preferably at 
— 70°C.) until the time for testing. 
For safety purposes and to prevent 
breakage, each specimen tube should 
be individually wrapped in either paper 
towels, facial tissues, or other absorbent 
padding material. One or more padded 
specimens can be placed in a small 
cylindrical shipping container which is 
packed directly against 5 to 10 pounds 
of dry ice (the amount of dry ice de- 
pending upon the distance to be 
shipped) in the center of a box large 
enough for 6 inches of insulating ma- 
terial (paper, cotton, etc.) to surround 
it. Shipment should be by the most 
rapid means available (usually air mail, 
special delivery). The laboratory 
should be notified by wire of the con- 
tents, mode of shipment, air express 
way-bill number, and time of expected 
arrival. Whenever possible, specimens 
should be shipped so that they will ar- 
rive at the laboratory during the work- 
ing day and not on weekends. 
Birds submitted for psittacosis studies 
should be thoroughly soaked in disin- 
fectant, placed in a plastic bag, and 
then packed in a shipping box with 
dry ice. If rapid delivery is possible, 
cans of frozen water may be used. 
(2) Serological tests. If adequately pro- 
tected against spillage and breakage, 
serum samples for serological tests 
may be shipped without refrigeration 
in ordinary mailing containers. How- 
ever, these specimens should also be 
sent by the most rapid method. 
2. Minimum Data to be Supplied With Specimen 
Name of Patient. 
Age. 
Summary of pertinent history including date of 
onset, physical findings, and clinical labora- 
tory tests. 
Virus group suspected. 
Type of material submitted and date of collec- 
tion. 
Indication of other similar cases in family or 
vicinity. 
Viral or rickettsial vaccines given to patient and 
dates administered. 
Exposure to animals or insect vectors. 
Antibiotic treatment 
All specimens should be forwarded to the State pub- 
lic health laboratory, accompanied by Form PHS 
3.332 (see Appendix V). These forms are available 
at your State laboratory and should be filled in as 
completely as possible in order to expedite the proc- 
essing of your specimen. 
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