Division 4.1 Sample preparation

Lymph nodes shall be surface de-contaminated before analysis by dipping into absolute alcohol and drying by air.

All lymph nodes shall be pooled and closed in a plastic bag and banged with a hammer or by similar means on the plastic bag smashing the lymph nodes.

The homogenized lymph nodes shall be weighed and placed in a sterile container with pre-warmed buffered peptone water (BPW) in dilution 1:10. Containers shall be incubated for a total of (18 ± 2) hours at (37 ± 1) °C.