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Specimen Requirements for Yersinia pestis
The Clinical Guide to Services is a comprehensive reference guide of testing services, shipping information, and submission requirements for Minnesota’s Infectious Disease Laboratory.
Even though there are ongoing efforts to keep information current, some information may not be up to date due to recent changes in testing procedures and/or regulation. Many of these tests are only available with prior approval from the Minnesota Department of Health.
If you cannot find what you are looking for in the guide, please Contact the Infectious Disease Laboratory.
Back to agent: Yersinia pestis
|
Type of Infection
|
Specimen type
|
Minimum Volume
|
Collection Comments
|
| Bubonic Plague | Lymph node (bubo) aspirate | 2 ml | |
| Septicemic Plague | Blood culture | Refer to manufacturer's recommendation | A series of 3 venipuncture specimens taken 15-30 minutes apart is most effective. Collect prior to antibiotic use if possible. |
| Blood in sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS) | 8 ml | Blood collected in SPS may be inoculated into blood culture bottles upon receipt at MDH. | |
| Pneumonic Plague | Sputum | 1 ml | "Bloody" sputum is a hallmark of this disease. |
| Tracheal aspirates, bronchoalveolar wash, etc. | 1 ml | Bronchial or tracheal aspirates are the specimens of choice. | |
| Nasal/Throat swab | 1 swab | For epidemiologic purposes only. Useful only within 24 hours of exposure. | |
| Misc/Other | Whole blood | 1 ml | Collect in EDTA, purple top tube. For molecular testing, must be pre-approved by MDH. |
| Serum/plasma | 2 ml | Acute-phase specimen should be collected ASAP after onset of disease. Convalescent-phase specimen should be collected >14 days after the acute specimen. Sent to CDC for testing, must be pre-approved by MDH. |
|
| Postmortem | Lymph and lung tissue, bone-marrow | 1-5 g 1ml |
Back to List of Tests