Serological Tests

The shipment of biological specimens must comply with the protocols established by the courier or transport service used. In some cases, air transport requires compliance with the regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for dangerous goods.

Serological tests generally require serum, but plasma is often satisfactory. Samples should be collected as described for serum biochemical analysis and should always be free of haemolysis.

In some cases, paired samples may be necessary for an adequate diagnosis. The acute sample should be collected at the beginning of the illness and frozen. The convalescent sample should be collected 10 to 14 days later, and both samples should be sent to the laboratory at the same time.