Collect
Collect in a plain red top or SST tube.
Specimen Preparation
Serum Separator (SST):
Fill tube completely. Thoroughly mix the blood by inverting the tube five times. Allow blood to clot for 30 to 60 minutes (tube standing upright). Promptly centrifuge at 1500 to 2000 x g for no less than 15 minutes until clot and serum are separated. Use pipette provided, avoid touching the surface of the gel with the pipette tip, and promptly transfer all the serum into the appropriately labelled plastic vial(s). Re-cap immediately.
- Serum Clot Activator (Red Top):
Fill the tube. Thoroughly mix the blood by inverting the tube five times. Allow blood to clot for 30 to 60 minutes (tube standing upright). Centrifuge at 1500 to 2000 x g for no less than 15 minutes until clot and serum are separated. Use pipette provided to promptly transfer all the serum into the appropriately labelled plastic vial plastic vial (s).
Preferred volume: 1 mL serum
Patient Prep
N/A
Pediatric Collection
Minimum Volume: 0.5mL serum
Unacceptable Conditions
Plasma, lipemic, grossly hemolyzed, microbially contaminated specimens, or specimens with visible particulates should not be used.
Storage Transport Temp
Preferred: Frozen Send serum Priority Overnight via FedEx and in a well insulated container on dry ice.
Also Acceptable: Refrigerated (2-8C) within 48hrs.
Stability
Up to 8 hours ambient or 48 hours refrigerated at 2-8°C. Freeze at or below -20°C for longer storage or shipping.
Notes
2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a single–stranded RNA coronavirus. Comparisons of the genetic sequences of this virus have shown similarities to SARS-CoV and bat coronaviruses. In humans, coronaviruses cause respiratory infections.3 Coronaviruses are composed of several proteins including the spike (S), envelope (E) , membrane (M) and nucleocapsid (N). Results suggest that the spike protein retains sufficient affinity to the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE 2) receptor to use it as a mechanism of cell entry. Human to human transmission of coronaviruses is primarily thought to occur among close contacts via respiratory droplets generated by sneezing and coughing. IgM is the first immunoglobulin to be produced in response to an antigen and will be primarily detectable during the early onset of the disease. IgG is the most abundantly found immunoglobulin to be produced in response to an antigen and will be maintained in the body after initial exposure for long term response.