All Samples
- In addition to the submission form, all samples must be labeled with the investigator’s name, sample identification name/number, and the date of sample collection
- Ex: Dr. McStuffins, Gopher tortoise, 11234, 1/9/2026
- Samples should be shipped on ice packs or dry ice in a well-insulated container
- We recommend shipping on dry ice during warmer months
- Refer to our shipping guidelines page for more information
Culture and PCR
Swabs
- Swabs should be sent in mycoplasma transport media without charcoal or antibiotics or sterile saline
- The entire swab tip must be submerged in the transport media or saline
- It is unlikely that we can culture from dry swabs o Recommended Fisher Scientific Catalog #: 14-907-13, 14-907-12, 22-349-981
- Swabs are available upon request for an additional fee (clients must provide FedEx or UPS shipping label, contact Nicole Adams for more information)
- If possible, 2 swabs per animal is best (can be sent in the same vial)
- Swabs should be frozen prior to shipment
Fluids (lavage, synovial, etc.)
- We require a minimum of 1 mL of fluids
- Fluids should be frozen prior to shipment
Whole Blood
- Whole blood is only accepted for culture and PCR of alligators/caimans or for hemoplasma PCR
- If sending a small volume, please parafilm the top to reduce evaporation
- Whole blood should be kept refrigerated in EDTA or sodium citrate tubes prior to shipment
- Please do not submit blood in lithium heparin tubes as heparin inhibits PCR and may lead to false negatives
Tissues
- Please contact the lab (nicoleadams@ufl.edu, 352-294-4071) before sending tissues
- Tissues should be frozen prior to shipment
ELISA Serology
Serum/Heparinized Plasma
- We require a minimum of 0.1 mL of serum/plasma
- If sending a small volume, please parafilm the top to reduce evaporation
- Serum/plasma can be stored at 4°C overnight or -20°C for longer periods prior to shipment
Shipping Address:
Dr. Mary Brown
University of Florida
Dept. of Infectious Diseases and Immunology
2015 SW 16th Ave
Rm V2-234
Gainesville, FL 32608
Shipping Guidelines
The sender is responsible for shipping costs.
Samples can be shipped Monday-Thursday only.
Make sure to check our website for a list of lab closure dates. Samples cannot be received on these dates.
Federal Express Overnight is the only carrier that delivers directly to our laboratory. Other carriers may take 1-2 days to be delivered to our lab. In such cases, the quality of the samples may be compromised.
Failure to ship samples in a temperature-controlled container may result in false negatives. The UF Mycoplasma laboratory cannot ensure the validity of results from compromised samples.
Please contact Nicole Adams (nicoleadams@ufl.edu 352-294-4071) or Dr. Mary Brown (mbbrown@ufl.edu, 352-294-4029) with any questions regarding sample collection.
