Effects of storage and type of blood collection tubes on hepatitis C virus level in whole blood samples.
Author(s): Kessler HH, Stelzl E, Raggam RB, Haas J, Kirchmeir F, Hegenbarth K, Daghofer E, Santner BI, Marth E, Stauber RE
Publication: J Clin Microbiol, 2001, Vol. 39, Page 1788-90
PubMed ID: 11325991 PubMed Review Paper? No
Purpose of Paper
Conclusion of Paper
Studies
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Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of room temperature storage and collection tube type on HCV RNA levels in whole blood. HCV RNA levels were also compared between serum and whole blood. Serum and whole blood specimens were frozen at -70 degrees C after experimental room temperature storage.
Summary of Findings:
Whole blood collected in EDTA tubes had smaller coefficients of variation and yielded higher concentrations of HCV RNA than whole blood collected in nucleic acid stabilization tubes (NASTs). After 48 h of room temperature storage, HCV RNA concentrations remained unchanged in all whole blood collection tubes, however, after 96 h, only HCV RNA measured in blood collected in Vacuette NASTs remained stable while significant increases were observed in blood collected in Vacuette EDTA (p<0.001) and Vacutainer EDTA tubes (p<0.007). Mean HCV RNA concentrations were comparable between serum and whole blood collected in NASTs, but concentrations were higher in whole blood collected in either Vacuette or Vacutainer EDTA tubes than in serum.
Biospecimens
Preservative Types
- Frozen
Diagnoses:
- Hepatitis
Platform:
Analyte Technology Platform RNA Real-time qRT-PCR Pre-analytical Factors:
Classification Pre-analytical Factor Value(s) Biospecimen Aliquots and Components Blood and blood products Serum
Whole blood
Biospecimen Acquisition Type of collection container/solution 9.0 mL Vacutainer
3.0 mL Vacuette EDTA
3.5 mL Vacuette NAST
3.0 mL Vacutainer EDTA
Storage Time at room temperature 0 h
48 h
96 h