Postmortem Specimen Collection

Specimens to Collect to Send to CDC for Testing

In the event of the death of a patient under investigation (PUI) for AFM, please send the following specimens, if possible.

Formalin-fixed or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue

• In the event of death, prior to shipping, please contact the IDPB at pathology@cdc.gov for pre-approval to submit formalin-fixed tissues.

Collection and storage

• Autopsy tissue blocks – Only acceptable if embedded within 2 weeks (or within 4 weeks for brain) after being placed in formalin.
• Autopsy wet tissue – Only acceptable if the duration of formalin-fixation has been within 2 weeks (or within 4 weeks for brain) or if tissues have been transferred to 70% ethanol within 2 weeks (or within 4 weeks for brain) after initial placement in formalin.
• Review Specimen Collection Recommendations for Pathologic Evaluation of Central Nervous System Infections.
• Blocks & wet tissue – Store at room-temperature.

Preparing specimens for shipment

• Blocks – Ship at room-temperature, but may be shipped with a frozen cold pack during hot summer months to prevent them from melting.
• Wet tissue – Ship at room-temperature in suitable leak proof containers.
• Review Specimen Storage and Shipping Guidance.

Fresh-frozen tissue

• Fresh-frozen tissues may be acceptable under limited circumstances.
• In the event of death, prior to shipping, please contact the IDPB at pathology@cdc.gov for pre-approval to submit fresh-frozen tissues.

Collection and storage

• Do not add any media to specimens.
• Freeze specimens (-20°C or lower) immediately and ship within 24 to 48 hours of collection.
• If specimens must be stored for more than 48 hours, freeze immediately at -70°C or lower and ship within 4 weeks of collection.

Preparing specimens for shipment

• Ship tissue specimens frozen on dry ice in leak proof plastic containers.
• Do not ship specimen in glass containers.
• Do not add any transport media.
• Review Specimen Storage and Shipping Guidance.

Shipping

For specimen requirements and specimen submission instructions, including shipment address, see Test Order - Pathologic or Molecular Evaluation of Fixed Tissues for Possible Infectious Etiologies CDC-10365.

For additional information on IDPB's specimen requirements and specimen submission instructions, including shipment address, see Test Order - Pathologic or Molecular Evaluation of Fixed Tissues for Possible Infectious Etiologies CDC-10365.