Biological Specimen Transportation Requirements for Culture and DST

Some logistics should be available in all National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) laboratories so that biological samples including sputum can be correctly transported to nearby Culture and Drug Susceptibility Testing (CDST) laboratories. The logistics required for packaging biological specimens are: 

1. Falcon tubes
2. Three-layer packing materials like thermocol box
3. Ice gel pack (pre-frozen at -20^oC for 48 hours)
4. Request for CDST forms
5. Polythene bags
6. Tissue paper roll for absorbent packing
7. Parafilm tapes
8. Brown tape for packing the thermocol box
9. Permanent marker pen
10. Labels with 'To' and 'From' address and blank labels for sample details 
11. Biohazard sticker
12. Scissors
13. Spirit swab 

Figure: Logistics needed for packaging of biological specimens for CDST laboratory; Source: Guidelines for Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant TB in India, 2021

Hired Agency: Ideally, an agency (courier/ speed post) with a pan-district presence should be identified by the District TB Officer of every district for prompt transport of the specimen.

Cold Chain: The fresh sputum samples will need to be transported from the Designated Microscopy Centre (DMC) to the Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) laboratory in cold chain within 72 hours.

• All laboratories need to ensure that the sample is always transported in cold chain.
• The packaged box should be sent on the same day from the DMC to the courier/ speed post office in the locality for onward transport to the CBNAAT/ CDST laboratory assigned.

Resources

• Training Module (1-4) for Program Managers and Medical Officer, NTEP, MoHFW, 2020.
• Guidelines for Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant TB in India, 2021.

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