Collect
FHF, FIL – Plasma from a lavender top (EDTA) tube is the only acceptable sample type. Mix sample thoroughly.
C3F - Serum from a plain red top is the only acceptable sample type. Gel barrier tubes are not accepted.
CD46 – Draw one green top tube (Sodium or Lithium Heparin), or one lavender top tube (EDTA).
Specimen Preparation
FHF, FIL – Centrifuge at room temp within one half hour of collection; preferably immediately after venipuncture. Transfer the cell-free plasma to a clean tube and immediately freeze the cell-free plasma on dry ice or at -70°C.
Preferred volume: 1 mL plasma, frozen
C3F - Allow blood to clot at room temp or 37°C for 20 to 60 minutes. Centrifuge to thoroughly remove cells and immediately transfer cell-free serum to a fresh tube and freeze the cell-free serum on dry ice ot at -70°C.
Preferred volume: 1 mL serum, frozen
CD46 – Do not centrifuge! Keep at room temp (18-22°C).
Preferred volume: 4 mL ambient whole blood
Pediatric Collection
FHF, FIL – 250 µL plasma, frozen
C3F - 250 µL serum, frozen
CD46 – 1 mL whole blood, ambient
Unacceptable Conditions
FHF, FIL, C3F - thawed specimens
CD46 -Frozen, clotted, hemolyzed or centrifuged specimens. Anticoagulants other than heparin or EDTA. Specimens >24 hrs old.
Storage Transport Temp
FHF, FIL – Send frozen plasma Priority Overnight via FedEx and in a well insulated container on dry ice.
C3F - Send frozen serum Priority Overnight via FedEx and in a well insulated container on dry ice.
CD46 – Maintain and transport specimens at room temperature (18-22°C). Ship specimens Priority Overnight via Fed Ex in container sufficiently insulated to avoid temperature extremes (<10°C and >37°C).
Samples must arrive within 24 hours of draw and are accepted Monday through noon on Friday.
Stability
FHF, FIL, C3F - Frozen at -70°C: 1 year
CD46 – 24 hours at room temperature (18-22°C)
Notes
This panel includes the following components: FHF, FIL, C3F, CD46