Aids in the diagnosis of amebic keratitis in conjunction with clinical findings

Saline vial/tube (sterile)

Specimen Type: Scrapings/Swabs
Sources: Eye, ocular, cornea
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect corneal scrapings using a scalpel or other sharp device to remove the outer layer of cells from the eye.
2. Swish the collection device in 1 mL of sterile saline, minimal essential media (MEM) or viral transport media.
3. Remove the collection device from the collection container before submitting to the lab.

Additional Information: Swabs are not the preferred specimen for this test and may yield false negative results.

Submit entire specimen

Saline vial/tube (sterile)

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type: Tissue (Fresh)
Sources: Ocular
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 5-10 mm
Collection Instructions: Submit tissue in a sterile container with 1 mL of sterile saline, minimal essential media (MEM), or viral transport media.

Specimen Type: Tissue (Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded [FFPE]) 
Sources: Ocular
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 5-10 mm
Collection Instructions: Cut tissue into five 10-micron sections and place in a sterile container.

Specimen Type: Contact lenses
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Entire collection
Collection Instructions:
1. Place entire contact lens in a sterile container with 1 mL sterile saline, contact lens solution, viral transport media, or minimal essential media (MEM).
2. Right and Left lenses must be submitted individually using separate sterile containers for each lens. Alternatively, lenses may be submitted in separate chambers of a contact lens case. Separate orders must be created for each lens.
3. Indicate Right or Left in the specimen source.

Specimen Type: Contact lens solution
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 1 mL solution

Specimen Type: Contact lens cases without lenses
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 1 mL solution or entire case
Additional Information:
1. Depending on the type of case submitted, it may be necessary to test right and left chambers individually. Separate orders must be created for each chamber.
2. Indicate Right or Left in the specimen source.

Refrigerated - 7 days

• Specimens collected using wooden shafted swabs
• Fluorescein dye may interfere with testing and should not be used prior to collection; specimens containing fluorescein dye
• Specimens containing scalpel blades
• PCR testing cannot be added on to a sample that has been opened and/or used for other testing. If the sample has already been used for testing, a new specimen will need to be collected.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/Taqman DNA Probe Hybridization

Negative