Division I.1 Sampling procedure

Gaping or freshly dead individual molluscs shall be sampled by priority, to increase the chances of finding infected animals.

Once sampled, oysters or mussels shall be maintained at 4 °C or on refrigerated ice for no more than 24 hours if samples include gaping molluscs and no more than 72 hours if not, in a plastic bag including a label with details related to the nature and the origin of the oysters or mussels. Gaping or freshly dead molluscs shall be maintained separately from other molluscs.

A 3 to 5 mm thick section of tissues including gills and heart tissue shall be used for the diagnostic of Marteilia refringens by histology. A piece of digestive gland shall be used for some tests, including imprints and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).