SPECIMEN COLLECTION AND HANDLING
Consider any materials of human origin as infectious and handle them with standard biosafety procedures
Collect whole blood in a clean container containing anti-coagulant (EDTA, citrate or heparin) by venipuncture. Blood can be obtained by finger tip puncture as well
whole blood specimen should be stored in refrigeration (2 c 8 c) if not tested immediately for up to 3 days. The specimen should be frozen at -20 C for longer storage. Avoid repeat freeze and thaw.