Blood and Serum Samples

  1. Labelling Blood Collection Tubes
    1. Affix the patient label in a straight line on the tube; do not wrap it around in a spiral.
    2. Ensure the tube color code and fill line remain visible after the label is applied.
    3. If the sticker is longer than the tube, trim the excess—keeping the HN and patient name visible—or fold the extra portion back on itself.
  2. Blood Collection Guidelines
    1. Verify that the patient name on the request form matches the label on the blood collection tube.
    2. Ask the patient’s full name before every blood draw.
    3. Avoid applying the tourniquet for more than 1 minute to prevent alteration of test results. If vacuum collection is not used, do not remove the cap—instead, pierce through the cap with the needle and allow the vacuum to draw the blood without pushing the syringe plunger.
  3. Multiple Tube Collection: Order and Mixing Instructions
    1. Clotted blood tube: Invert 5 times
    2. EDTA tube: Invert 8 times
    3. Heparin tube: Invert 8 times
    4. Citrate tube: Invert 8 times
    5. Plasma or serum must be separated by centrifugation immediately after blood collection.
  4. Eligible Submitters – Patients from the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, other hospitals, research institutions, and private companies may submit specimens in appropriate collection tubes according to the specimen type (see table below).
Specimen Types, Volumes, and Storage Conditions
No. Test Specimen Type Volume Storage Conditions
1 Detection and serotyping of Dengue virus using Real-time RT-PCR EDTA blood, Clotted blood, EDTA plasma, Serum Adults and children >12 years: 2 mL Children <12 years: minimum 1 mL 2–8 °C for up to 6 hours If delayed, separate serum or plasma and store at −20 °C to −80 °C
Collect at least 0.5–1 mL of plasma or serum in a microcentrifuge tube. Ensure the cap is tightly closed and sealed with parafilm.
2 Detection of anti-Dengue virus IgM and IgG antibodies using ELISA test EDTA blood, Clotted blood, Citrate blood, Heparinized blood, Plasma, Serum ผAdults and children >12 years: 2 mL Children <12 years: minimum 1 mL 2–8 °C for up to 24 hours If delayed, separate serum or plasma and store at −20 °C to −80 °C
Collect at least 0.5–1 mL of plasma or serum in a microcentrifuge tube. Ensure the cap is tightly closed and sealed with parafilm.
3 Detection of Chikungunya virus using Real-time RT-PCR EDTA blood, otted blood, EDTA plasma, Serum EDTA plasma: 2 ml, EDTA blood 5 ml, Clotted blood 5 ml, Serum 2 ml 2–8 °C for up to 24 hours If delayed, separate serum or plasma and store at −20 °C to −80 °C
4 Detection of Zika virus using Real-time RT-PCR Urine, EDTA blood, Clotted blood, EDTA plasma, Serum Urine 2 ml, EDTA plasma 2 ml , Serum 2 ml, EDTA blood 5 ml, Clotted blood 5 ml 2–8 °C for up to 24 hours If delayed, separate serum/plasma/urine and store at −20 °C to −80 °C
5 Diagnosis of Parasites Using the Stool Concentration Technique Stool sample Collect about a thumb-sized amount of stool, sampling from different areas, especially those with color variations or abnormal characteristics. Stool samples collected at home should be submitted to the laboratory within 4 hours. If required, they can be stored in a regular refrigerator for up to 1 day.
6 Diagnosis of Parasites Using the Direct Wet Smear Technique Stool sample Collect about a thumb-sized amount of stool, sampling from different areas, especially those with color variations or abnormal characteristics. Stool samples collected at home should be submitted to the laboratory within 4 hours. If required, they can be stored in a regular refrigerator for up to 1 day.
7 Detection of Pinworm Using the Scotch Tape Technique Pinworm eggs in the perianal region Collect a perianal specimen by applying clear adhesive tape immediately after the patient wakes up, before bathing. Transfer the tape onto a microscope slide for examination Slides can be stored at room temperature for no longer than 24 hours.
8 Malaria Diagnosis Using Thick and Thin Blood Films EDTA Blood – Collect 10 µL of blood by finger-prick from the patient. – Collect 2–3 mL of EDTA blood. Specimens can be stored at room temperature for no longer than 24 hours.
9 Detection of Occult Blood in Stool Using Immunochromatographic Test Stool sample – Collect approximately a thumb-sized portion of stool, making sure to sample from throughout the stool mass. Select areas with different colors or any abnormal portions, such as those containing mucus or blood. – Use freshly passed stool, collected directly into the toilet or a clean container.