Autopsy brain tissue should be sent half fixed (in 10% buffered formalin for 2 weeks) and half frozen in a -80°C freezer (or, lacking that, in a -20°C freezer). Do NOT treat whole brains in formic acid.
Formic acid treatment will be completed by the NPSPSC. Cutting and sampling of fixed brains should be performed using BSL-2 precautions. If paraffin sections are submitted, please cut 1 section 5 microns thick (for H&E staining) and 3 sections 8 microns thick (for IHC staining).
Each sample must be accompanied by a test request form. The form must be completed in its entirety to prevent significant delays in sample processing.
Please note: When packaging both fixed and frozen autopsy tissue, the samples are to be placed in separate shipping containers. Fixed tissue should never be packaged with dry ice. Doing so may affect the integrity of the sample and interfere with sample processing.
- Primary Container: Place fixed brain tissue into the 13X20 plastic bag. Please be sure to remove most of the formalin. Towels moistened with formalin can be placed around the specimen and a small amount of formalin placed in the bag to keep the tissue moist.
- The specimen MUST be labeled with the patient's name.
- The specimen MUST be labeled with the patient's name.
- Secondary Container: Place the bagged specimen into a biohazard pressure bag along with the absorbent sheets.
- To seal the biohazard bag:
- Remove the adhesive backing from the bag.
- Fold the bag at the slit and orient lines onto corresponding lines.
- Press hard from the center, working towards the outer edges of the bag
- To seal the biohazard bag:
- Tertiary Container: Place the biohazard pressure bag into a Styrofoam container.
- Place the Styrofoam into an UN3373 approved cardboard box. Before closing the box, make sure a completed “Test Request Form” is included inside.
**Please ensure that the document is completed in its entirety to prevent significant delay in sample processing**
- Please seal the outer box with shipping tape. The box will be shipped as a Category B substance. Please refer to the guidelines for shipping Category B Substances at:
Each sample must be accompanied by a test request form. The form must be completed in its entirety to prevent significant delays in sample processing.
Please note: When packaging both fixed and frozen autopsy tissue, the samples are to be placed in separate shipping containers.
- Primary Container: Place frozen brain tissue into the 13X20 plastic bag.
- The specimen MUST be labeled with the patient's name and date of birth.
- The specimen MUST be labeled with the patient's name and date of birth.
- Secondary Container: Place the bagged specimen into a biohazard pressure bag along with the absorbent sheets.
- To seal the biohazard bag:
- Remove the adhesive backing from the bag.
- Fold the bag at the slit and orient lines onto corresponding lines.
- Press hard from the center, working towards the outer edges of the bag
- To seal the biohazard bag:
- Tertiary Container: Place the biohazard pressure bag into a Styrofoam container, filled with sufficient dry ice (5 lbs/24 hrs).
- Place the Styrofoam container into a UN3373-approved cardboard box. Before closing the box, make sure a completed “Test Request Form” is included within the box.
**Please ensure that the document is completed in its entirety to prevent significant delay in sample processing**.
- Please seal the outer box with shipping tape. The box will be shipped as a Category B substance. Please refer to the guidelines for shipping Category B Substances at:
All Shipments Should Be Addressed To:
NPDPSC
Institute of Pathology
Case Western Reserve University 2085 Adelbert Road, Room 414
Cleveland, Ohio 44106-4907
Tel: (216) 368 - 0587
Email: CJDsurveillance@uhhospitals.org
For More Information
General and shipping questions can be directed to the NPDPSC at (216) 368 - 0587 or by email at CJDsurveillance@uhhospitals.org