Cerner Orderable: Immunofluorescence.

Ideally this sample should be collected before noon. Call the Anatomical Pathology laboratory on 9895 3477 during business hours  (9.00am - 5.00pm) to notify fresh tissue sample is taken and will require immediate attention.

After hours please call the on call Anatomical Pathologist to discuss.

Renal IF: The fresh tissue is placed into Michel's transport medium..

Skin IF: If immunofluorescence is required 2 punch biopsies should be taken, one placed in formalin, the other remains fresh and placed on saline soaked gauze. If microbiological culture is required, a third punch biopsy should be taken. This should also be received fresh on saline soaked gauze.

Fresh tissue for IF should be placed in an eksy on ice and delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible. If there is a short delay in transporation please place tissue in fridge at 4⁰C until the specimen can be sent.

If there is to be a long delay (> 12 hours) in transportation the fresh specimen should be place in Michel's medium. 

This biopsy should ideally be taken in the morning Mon-Fri, so that the specimen can be dealt with in the Anatomical Pathology Laboratory otherwise deterioration of the sample may occur and may affect results.

If punch biopsy is taken in the afternoon, the specimen must arrive in the Histology Lab before 5.00. If this is not possible the specimen must be collected into Michel's medium otherwise the deterioration of the specimen may occur which may affect results.

Please contact Anatomical Laboratory on 9895 3477 for collection of Michel's medium.

Skin IF: A 3mm (miniumum diametre) punch biopsy is required for diagnosis. Large biopsies (5mm or greater) may be bisected for IF. Renal IF: A portion of renal core biopsy no smaller than 2 mm is required for diagnosis.

Anatomical Pathology do not supply punch biopsy kits.