Shipping blood to a central laboratory in multicenter clinical trials: effect of ambient temperature on specimen temperature, and effects of temperature on mononuclear cell yield, viability and immunologic function.

Author(s): Olson WC, Smolkin ME, Farris EM, Fink RJ, Czarkowski AR, Fink JH, Chianese-Bullock KA, Slingluff CL Jr

Publication: J Transl Med, 2011, Vol. 9, Page 26

PubMed ID: 21385453 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of overnight shipping of blood specimens and storage of blood specimens on PBMC viability, function and recovery after cryopreservation. To study the effects of storage, heparinized blood was stored at room temperature for 1-2 h and then at the experimental temperature for 2, 8 or 12 h before being returned to room temperature for the remainder of the 24 h period.

   Summary of Findings:

   Specimens shipped during the winter (November-February) tended to have lower PBMC yields than those shipped during warmer months. Similarly, lower minimum temperatures during shipping were associated with lower PBMC yield (p=0.001), and higher maximum temperatures were associated with higher PBMC yield (p=0.04). The authors report that storage of blood at 50 degrees C for as little as 2 h led to cell lysis, but there were no effects of storage for 2 or 8 h at any other temperature. Storage of blood at 15 degrees C for 12 h led to significant decreases in PBMC yield, viability and recovery compared to specimens stored at room temperature. Storage of specimens at 40 degrees C for 12 h led to an insignificant decrease in cell yield. Storage of specimens at 30 degrees C tended to increase cell recovery, but this was not significant. Storage prior to cryopreservation did not affect the T lymphocyte sub-populations when analyzed immediately after thawing, but when analyzed after thawing and an overnight rest at room temperature, specimens stored at 40 degrees C for 8 or 12 h prior to cryopreservation showed decreased PBMC viability, increased CD4 and CD8 apoptosis, and lower IFN-gamma production.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Blood
   • Cell - Blood

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)
   • Frozen

   Diagnoses:

   • Normal

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Cell count/volume	Hematology/ auto analyzer
   Cell count/volume	Flow cytometry
   Protein	ELISpot

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Specimen transport duration/condition	Winter Fall
   Storage	Storage temperature	15 degrees C 22 degrees C 30 degrees C 40 degrees C 50 degrees C
   Storage	Storage duration	0 h 2 h 8 h 12 h 24 h
   Biospecimen Preservation	Type of fixation/preservation	Frozen None (fresh)
   Storage	Between site transportation method	Courier Not transported

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