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Where it is not possible to obtain a blood sample or if a patient
has recently been transfused, sufficient DNA can be obtained
for some Molecular Genetic tests from a buccal cell sample (see protocols below).
If you require further details, please contact the laboratory.
Protocol for taking samples from babies and young children
Avoid taking the sample within approximately 30 minutes of feeding. (This avoids the sample consisting mainly of saliva.)
Using a clean, dry cotton swab, sweep around the inside of the patient’s cheek particularly where the gum and cheek meet.
Apply firm pressure to ensure an adequate number of epithelial cells adhere to the swab.
Place the swab containing the cheek cells into a universal container containing
approximately 5ml of physiological saline and agitate the swab in the liquid so
that the cells are released into the saline.
Remove and discard the swab. When there are enough cheek cells the saline will
look “cloudy.” If necessary repeat with a fresh swab to obtain sufficient sample.
Protocol for taking samples from older children and adults
The patient should rinse his/her mouth with tap water prior to taking the sample.
The patient should take approx 10ms of sterile physiological saline solution into
his/her mouth, agitate the saline solution in the mouth for approx 30 seconds
and then spit the solution into a sterile universal tube.
Send the labelled sample (full name, dob, hospital number) with a completed Molecular Genetics Request Form or covering letter detailing what tests are required to:
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Regional
Molecular Genetics
