references for information on specimen collection. (5,7-10) Infectious material should be submitted directly to the laboratory without delay and protected from excessive heat and cold. Specimens should be delivered to the laboratory within 2-3 hours. Special attention is required for stool samples. They should be collected early in the course of the disease and need to be cultured within two hours after collection. If there is to be a delay in processing, the specimen should be inoculated onto an appropriate transport medium and refrigerated until inoculation