SAMPLE PREPARATION TRANSPORT CONDITIONS
Serum (Sera) Whole blood should be collected aseptically and allowed to clot at ambient temperature for a minimum of 30 minutes. Refrigerate at 4°C for 1 hour, centrifuge at 3000rpm for 5 minutes and transfer the serum into a sterile microtube or equivalent.

Serum is accepted neat or at a maximum dilution 1:5 (1-part serum in 4 parts physiologic saline or phosphate buffered saline and please indicate).
  • Do not submit whole blood.
  • No more than 2 sera should be pooled.
  • Sera should all be from the same strain housed in the same area.
  • Approximately equal volumes of serum from each animal included in the pool.
  • Sample volumes depend upon number of tests required sample volumes.
 Send samples overnight to the Adelaide lab with cool/ice packs.
  • Samples in push-top or screw top vials sealed and airtight to avoid leakage.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
Dried Blood Spot: 40, 80, and individual (DBS) Dried Blood Spot Plates (40 and 80 size)
  1. Align the DBS paper in the drying plate so that the paper lays flat.
  2. Take blood by preferred method.
  3. Place a few drops of whole blood on the centre spot of the DBS. Blood should diffuse into the medium to fully cover but not saturate it.
  4. Allow DBS to dry for 30 minutes.
  5. Tape the lid down, fill in the DBS Plate template (click here) and send with plate.
  6. If transporting individual DBS papers: place in a microtube and label with the sample number.
Dried Blood Spot Tube - For individual samples
  1. Open Eppendorf tube with the DBS filter paper exposed.
  2. Take blood by preferred method (as mentioned above).
  3. Place 1/2 drops of whole blood on the centre of the filter paper.
  4. Allow filter paper to dry for 30 minutes before closing the Eppendorf lid. Label tube with sample number and place in a waterproof transport bag.
  • One DBS per animal - Indicate pooling request on submission form.
 Send samples overnight to the Adelaide lab at ambient temperature or with cool/ice packs. Do not freeze.
  • Identify samples with DBS templates (click here) or clearly label the plate/container/microtube
  • Suitable for transport in padded post pack or appropriate box
  • Attach copy of submission form
  SAMPLE PREPARATION TRANSPORT CONDITIONS
Cells / Cell Culture / Liquid Sample
  • Approximately 1x10⁶ cells per tube of each biological or cultured cell sample. If the cell number is less than this, please indicate. Samples should be passaged without antibiotics at least once before submission.
  • Cells may be in the form of a pellet or in growth media, freeze media or phosphate buffered saline (PBS).
  • Liquid Samples: one vial per sample (Maximum 0.5mL/vial).
  • Recommended vial is either 1.5-2ml sterile microtube (wrapped with paraffin if liquid samples) or 1.5-2ml sterile screw cap microtube.
 If only Mycoplasma sp PCR is required, send samples overnight to the Adelaide lab with cool/ice packs.

** If RNA virus testing by PCR is required (MHV, MNV etc) samples are required frozen and sent with dry ice.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag and clearly labelled.
  • All vials should be sealed to avoid leakage.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
Faecal Pellets (Fresh) Collect fresh faecal pellets into sterile microtube or container as follows:
  • 1-5 fresh faecal pellets for mice.
  • For 16s PCR - Germ free testing collect ONE feacal pellet.
  • 1 or 2 half fresh pellets for rats.
  • no bedding material collected.
 Send samples overnight to the Adelaide lab with cool/ice packs.

** If RNA virus testing by PCR is required (MHV, MNV etc) samples are required frozen and sent with dry ice. If these same faecal samples are required for bacteriology testing they cannot be frozen. Please send a duplicate faecal sample for bacteriology or consider using Cerberus Bead Tubes for PCR tests.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
Faecal Pellets in Cerberus PCR Bead Tubes (F.B.T)

* Preferred sample type		 Collect fresh faecal pellets into Cerberus PCR Bead Tubes as follows:
  • 1-5 fresh faecal pellets for mice in 2mL Cerberus PCR Bead Tubes.
  • 1 fresh pellet for rats 2mL Cerberus PCR Bead Tube or 1-5 fresh faecal pellets for rats in 5mL Cerberus PCR bead tube.
  • For 16s PCR - Germ free testing collect ONE feacal pellet.
  • no bedding material collected.
 Send samples overnight to the Adelaide lab with cool/ice packs or ambient temperature. Do not freeze.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
Tissue Samples
(Lung, Kidney, Salivary Gland, MLN etc)		 Collect tissues as per institute protocols.
  • Sample 5mm of tissue per animal and place into sterile microtube.
  • Tissues can be pooled from 5 animals.
 Send samples overnight to the Adelaide lab with cool/ice packs.

** If RNA virus testing by PCR is required (MHV, MNV etc) samples are required frozen and sent with dry ice.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
Tissue Samples in Cerberus PCR Bead Tubes (Lung, Kidney, Salivary Gland, MLN etc)

* Preferred sample type		 Collect tissues as per institute protocols.
  • Sample 5mm of tissue per animal and place into 2mL Cerberus PCR Bead Tube.
  • Tissues can be pooled from 5 animals.
 Send samples overnight to the Adelaide lab with cool/ice packs or ambient temperature. Do not freeze.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
FLOQ Swabs Sample the area of interest (e.g. skin / oral) with the nylon fibre brush of FLOQ Swab.

Once swabbing is completed, cut off the swab tip from the shaft and place into a Cerberus PCR Bead Tube or sterile microtube **
  • Maximum 5 flocked swab tips can be pooled in one tube.
 Send samples overnight to the Adelaide lab with cool/ice packs.

** If RNA virus testing by PCR is required (MHV, MNV etc) samples are required frozen and sent with dry ice if using sterile microtubes.
  • If using Cerberus Bead Tubes: do not freeze.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
Ear Notch Humanely sample an ear notch from animal and place in a sterile 0.5mL sterile microtube. Send samples overnight to the Adelaide Lab with cool/ice packs.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
Tail Tip Humanely cut 2mm of tail tip from animal and place in a sterile 0.5mL sterile microtube. Send samples overnight to the Adelaide Lab with cool/ice packs.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
Exhaust Air Dust (EAD) Filter For Allentown Sentinel EAD: Remove the filter from the holder. Place curled in 50 mL conical tubes with dirty side facing in.

For Tecniplast interceptor filter: Cut the filter along the pre-cut notches. Place curled in a Cerberus PCR Bead Tube with dirty side facing in.

Other filter: cut a filter in a size of 3 cm x 2 cm. Place curled in a PCR tube with dirty side facing in. 		Send samples overnight to the Adelaide Lab at ambient temperature or with cool/ice packs.
  • If using Cerberus Bead Tubes: do not freeze.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
Zebrafish in Cerberus PCR Bead Tubes

* Preferred sample type		 Collect / euthanise fish as per institute protocols.
  • Place one whole fish into a Cerberus PCR Bead Tube (2mL or 5mL depending on fish size) or sterile microtube.
  • Maximum two fish samples can be pooled per tube.
 Send samples overnight to the Adelaide Lab at ambient temperature or with cool/ice packs.
  • If using Cerberus Bead Tubes: do not freeze.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
  SAMPLE PREPARATION TRANSPORT CONDITIONS
Transport Media Swab (Oral, Genital, Skin) Sample the area of interest (e.g. oral, genital, tracheal) with the cotton end of Transport Media Swab.

Once swabbing is completed, re-insert the sample swab into the transport media and seal.
  • One swab per animal.
 Send samples overnight with cool/ice packs. Do not freeze.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
Faeces (Fresh) Collect fresh faecal pellets into sterile microtube or container.
  • 2-5 fresh faecal pellets for mice.
  • 1 or 2 fresh pellets for rats.
  • no bedding material collected.
  • Tube a maximum 75% full.
 Send samples overnight at ambient temperature or with cool/ice packs. Do not freeze.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
Fur Tape Test Use adhesive tape to gather sample of animal’s fur by rubbing the sticky side of the tape along the back, behind the ears and stomach, then adhere to microscope slide.

Place the glass slide into a plastic case/ box and seal. 		Send samples overnight at ambient temperature.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Microscope slide should be housed in a plastic case/box and kept inside a plastic bag.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
Skin Scrapings Use a scalpel blade to gently scrape the sample area and transfer scrapings into a sterile microtube or container. Send samples overnight at ambient temperature.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
Nasotracheal Wash (NTW) Euthanise mouse/rat as per institute protocols.
  • Fill a syringe with 0.5mL (for mice) or 1mL (for rats) of sterile peptone water.
  • Once trachea is exposed, lift by placing scissors underneath it.
  • Insert needle into trachea (do not pierce) and gently wash the inside, nasal cavity, and mouth by drawing the peptone water back and forth inside the tracheal tube.
  • Empty the washed peptone water into a sterile microtube or container and seal.
 Send samples overnight with cool/ice packs. Do not freeze.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
  SAMPLE PREPARATION TRANSPORT CONDITIONS
Tissues
  1. Identify animal and label formalin container with this number, date and tissues taken.
  2. Tissue samples for histopathological examination should be no more than 0.5 – 1 cm thick.
  3. Ideally a ratio of 1:10 between the sample and the volume of 10% neutral buffered formalin should be maintained and the correct container and volume of formalin should be selected.
  4. Add a history including species, strain, origin, sex, age, clinical signs, experiment procedures, died or euthanasia and what method if the latter.
  5. Describe the lesions you have observed:
    • Size, site, shape, colour, consistency and borders.
    • Demarcation between normal and abnormal tissue.
    • Appearance of surface.
    • Changes in the size and shape of organs, absence of organs, ulcers in the skin, discharges and the presence of fluids in body cavities.
  6. Perfuse lungs with formalin:
    • Instil formalin into lungs to make microscope examination of lungs easier.
    • Can be done through trachea.
    • Can remove single lobe.
  7. If you cannot find any abnormalities in mouse that died collect following tissues in formalin:
    • Stomach and small and large intestine.
    • Salivary gland.
    • Kidney.
    • Spleen.
    • Heart.
    • Lung.
    • Brain.
    • Liver.
 Samples sent in formalin are considered hazardous/dangerous goods.

Cerberus can provide category B con notes for delivery with Toll.

Send samples overnight at ambient temperature or with cool/ice packs.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Add suitable padding / absorbent material in case of leakage.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
Zebrafish Collect/Euthanise fish as per institute protocols.
  • A ratio of 1:10 between the sample and the volume of 10% neutral buffered formalin should be maintained.
  • To ensure proper fixation, open the coelom (abdomen) by lengthwise incision through the body wall or by removing a small piece of the body wall.
 Samples sent in formalin are considered hazardous/dangerous goods.

Cerberus can provide category B con notes for delivery with Toll.

Send samples to the Melbourne Lab overnight at ambient temperature or with cool/ice packs.
  • Label samples clearly using a permanent marker or other waterproof means of identification.
  • Samples should be placed inside a plastic bag.
  • Add suitable padding / absorbent material in case of leakage.
  • Attach copy of submission form.
  SAMPLE PREPARATION TRANSPORT CONDITIONS
Mice/Rat/Guinea Pig/Rabbit Please contact us to book a suitable date.

Animals should always be housed with sufficient food, water and bedding for the duration of the trip.

Check ahead for weather conditions as transport during extreme heat is discouraged.
Zebrafish Fish should be submerged in water, double bagged, sealed and with sufficient air for the duration of transport.