Herpetic lesion: Wipe vesicle with saline. Disrupt vesicle, and collect fluid with dry PCR swab. With the same swab, collect cells from base of lesion. For non-vesicular lesions, collect cells from base of lesion by using swab moistened with saline. Specimens can be collected from vesicles from a variety of sites including genital. Refer to Herpes Multiplex PCR for CSF samples.
For other specimens collect as clinically indicated. This may include: tissue, CSF, saliva swab, urine, BAL and blood (PPT tube for adults, EDTA for paediatrics). Blood samples require a dedicated blood tube.
