Specimen Collection Information

The high sensitivity of amplification by polymerase chain reaction requires the specimen to be processed in an environment in which contamination of the specimen by Pneumocystis species DNA is unlikely.

Preferred Specimens: Pleural, respiratory (eg, bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL], bronchial washing, sputum), or fresh tissue

Acceptable Specimens: If no fresh specimen is available, digested respiratory specimens treated with N-acetyl-L-cysteine-sodium hydroxide (NALC/NaOH) are acceptable (eg, BAL, bronchial washing, respiratory fluid, sputum, or tracheal secretion)

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred 

Specimen Type: Body fluid

Sources: Pleural

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Additional Information: Only fresh, non-NALC/NaOH-digested body fluid is acceptable.

Specimen Type: Respiratory

Sources: BAL, bronchial washing, tracheal secretions, or sputum

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 1 mL if only PCR ordered or 3 mL if PCR ordered with smear and culture

Specimen Type: Tissue

Sources: Respiratory

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 5-10 mm

Collection Instructions:

1. Submit fresh tissue.

2. Keep tissue moist with sterile water or sterile saline

Acceptable

Specimen Type: NALC/NaOH-digested respiratory specimens

Sources: BAL, bronchial washing, respiratory fluid, sputum, or tracheal secretion

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 2 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Submit digested specimen treated with NALC/NaOH.

2. Clearly indicate on container and order form that specimen is a digested specimen.