UC Davis Health
Center for Valley Fever

Serology Laboratory Specimen and Processing | Center for Valley Fever | UC Davis Health

Specimen and Processing

  • Accepted Specimens

     Specimen and Processing Information (PDF)

    • Serum
    • CSF
    • Serous body fluids (pleural, peritoneal, pericardial)
    • Synovial Fluid

  • Unacceptable for Testing

    • Plasma
    • Bronchial Alveolar Lavage Fluid
    • Urine
    • Grossly purulent fluids
    • Wound drainage
    • Swabs
    • Sputum

  • Ideal Volume

    • 2 mL (human)
    • 1 mL (veterinary)

  • Absolute Minimum

    • 0.5 mL (human and veterinary)
      The qualitative immunodiffusion screen will be performed on an unconcentrated specimen, which may decrease sensitivity. Quantitative immunodiffusion will be performed to obtain a serology titer.

  • Interferences

    • Gross hemolysis or icterus may affect the visualization of reactions by immunodiffusion
    • Gross lipemia may cause interference with complement fixation

  • Specimen Storage and Stability

    • Ambient: 72 hours (aliquoted serum)
    • 2-8° C: 7 days (aliquoted serum)
    • -20° C: 2 months (aliquoted serum)

    For specimens outside these stability limits, please contact the laboratory.

  • Specimen Collection and Processing

    Allow serum samples to clot at room temperature. Please separate serum from cells prior to sending. Even when using serum separator tubes, serum should be transferred into another tube, as the chemical composition of the serum can change and potentially affect results.

    For CSF and other body fluids, a sterile container without anticoagulants or other additives is appropriate.