Sample Submission

Background

Many of the fungi/yeasts that we study and are able to quantify are ubiquitous. Our assays detect as little as 2-3 spores and it is quite likely that it will be detectable in your sample. Our greatest concern rests with samples which test very high. Composite samples from within a feed resource and TMRs rarely test high for mold DNA. High-testing samples are usually from regions of feeds exposed to moisture, adequate temperature and oxygen. Heavily-infected feeds show a visible mold.

Feed sampling and submission method

Select areas of feeds (less than 1/2 lb) which may be of concern (surfaces of silage, fill lines, exposed faces of feeds, moisture-damaged areas, augurs). Alternatively, representative samples of feeds from several regions of a feed resource may be submitted. Keep in mind that molds have potential to grow quickly and the shipping method, therefore, must ensure that mold growth does not occur in transit. Two types of feed samples/shipping methods should therefore be used:

  • Method 1: Dry feed (or fecal) sample overnight at 50 oC. Ship dried sample.
  • Method 2: Ship feed (or other) sample in ice or on dry ice.

Blood sampling and submission method

Three (3) methods may be used for submission of blood samples to the research lab. These are:

  • Preferred method. (Use an OmniGen Research Mycotic Infection Kit: $25/kit). Each kit contains enough material for sampling and shipping 12 blood samples. Kits are available by calling the laboratory at 1-855-879-6423 or through the Website at www.omnigenresearch.com.
  • Optional Method 1. Collect blood sample using a vacutainer (blue top) or a syringe using citric acid (ACD) as a preservative*. Remove 0.5 ml of whole blood and combine with 0.5 ml of 100% ethanol or 100% isopropanol (final concentration should be 50% alcohol) and place in a non-crushable plastic tube. Seal blood samples in a secondary container (e.g., Ziploc bag) and ship in a padded envelope via regular mail (or 2-day mail) to the research laboratory (see address below). Include information on sample number, your address, phone number, FAX number and billing address.
  • Optional method 2. Collect blood samples (at least 0.5 ml) using a vacutainer (blue top) or a syringe using citric acid (ACD) as a preservative*. Place sample on ice inside a Styrofoam container and ship to research laboratory using overnight express mail. Include information on sample number, your address, phone number, FAX number and billing address.

*Note: Other anti-coagulants are acceptable (e.g., heparin or EDTA) but may reduce efficiency of our detection of A. fumigatus DNA.

Tissue sampling and submission

A. fumigatus and other fungi can disseminate and colonize tissues including muscle, liver, kidney, lung and brain. Lymph nodes may also collect significant quantities of A. fumigatus DNA. Infected regions of tissues usually do not harbor visible mold. Our assay requires only 25 mg of tissue; hence, a 1 gram sample is sufficient. Tissue samples should be placed in a sealed plastic Ziploc bag, labeled and shipped in a leak-proof secondary container (frozen with ice or dry ice) using overnight delivery. Formalin-preserved samples cannot be analyzed.

Submission of fecal samples

Fecal samples may be useful to determine gastrointestinal burden. However, the research lab at OmniGen Research has not analyzed enough fecal samples to adequately interpret values obtained from fecal analysis. Therefore, fecal samples should be submitted for experimental purposes. Please submit less than 100 g (1/5 lb). Two shipping methods are:

  • Shipping method 1. Fresh, non-dried fecal samples (e.g., grab sample: < 100 g). Ship frozen on ice or dry ice using overnight delivery. Ship samples in a Ziploc bag (or equivalent) and place in a sealed secondary container. Please include your name, address, contact information, billing address and details about the sample(s).
  • Shipping method 2. Dried fecal samples (< 100 g). These may be ground or not ground. Ship via regular mail. Ship samples in a Ziploc bag (or equivalent) and place in a secondary container. Please include your name, address, contact information, billing address and details about the sample(s).

Address for receipt of samples (or blood kit requests):

OmniGen Research LLC
1767 NW Kings Blvd.
Corvallis, OR 97330
Phone/FAX: 1-855-879-6423 (855-TRY-OGAF)