Istituto Superiore di Sanità

Send Larvae


Forwarding of Trichinella larvae



  1. Fresh material (infected mouse carcass, infected meat from the original host, human biopsy) - This material should be sent by a courier as soon as possible according to international regulations. The material must be sealed within several plastic bags (one inside the other), or in a plastic vial, or vacuum packed, and placed in a polystyrene box. Human biopsies must be preserved in a plastic vial with sterile saline to avoid dehydration. Before sending material, contact the ITRC by e-mail. Write on the package: "Biological material for scientific use only". For any questions, contact the ITRC by e-mail (mariaangeles.gomezmorales@iss.it)

  2. Frozen material - Send the material packed in dry ice in a polystyrene box by a courier according to international regulations. Before sending material, contact the ITRC by e-mail. Write on the package: "Biological material for scientific or diagnostic purposes only". For any questions, contact the ITRC by e-mail mariaangeles.gomezmorales@iss.it)

  3. Larvae in absolute ethyl alcohol - After artificial digestion, collect preferably motile larvae if they are present, wash them in water 3-4 times and preserve in a small conical tube filled to the rim with absolute ethyl alcohol. Send larvae by a courier according to international regulations. Before sending material, contact the ITRC by e-mail. Import authorisation is not required. Write on the package: "Biological material for scientific use only". For any questions, contact the ITRC by e-mail mariaangeles.gomezmorales@iss.it)