Regarding the care of samples for rabies testing, what is the best practice?

The best practice for the care of samples intended for rabies testing is that they can be frozen, but must be thawed before testing. This is essential because rabies virus can be sensitive to temperature changes, and proper handling is crucial to ensure that the virus remains viable for accurate testing. When samples are frozen, they must be carefully thawed to maintain the integrity of the sample and the viability of the virus. This practice helps ensure accurate detection of the virus, which is critical for diagnosis and public health measures.

Freezing the samples is advantageous as it halts any potential degradation of the virus that might occur during extended storage or transportation. Importantly, thawing must be done under controlled conditions to prevent any thermal shock to the sample, which could compromise the testing results.

Other options suggest various temperatures that either do not preserve the sample adequately (such as room temperature), or suggest only refrigeration, which while better than room temperature, might not be sufficient for long-term storage if extensive testing delays are anticipated. Lastly, improper handling like freezing without appropriate thawing could lead to misleading results, jeopardizing patient care and public safety.