Collect
Collect 4mL blood in a serum separator tube or 4mL in a plain red top tube. Separate serum from cells immediately by centrifuge, and aliquot into a labeled polypropylene or similar plastic tube.
Preferred volume: 1 mL serum
Specimen Preparation
Protect specimen from sunlight
Pediatric Collection
Minimum volume: 0.3mL serum
Unacceptable Conditions
Grossly hemolyzed specimens, exposure to sunlight
Storage Transport Temp
Frozen. Send frozen serum Priority Overnight via FedEx and in a well insulated container, on dry ice.
Stability
Stability after cell separation:
7 days refrigerated at 2-8°C
30 day frozen at -20°C (3 thaws only)