Collect
AH50, CH50, & C3NEF – Serum from a plain red top is the only acceptable sample type. Gel barrier tubes are not acceptable(Each test requires individual aliquot)
FHL, FIL BBL, FBL, SC5b-9 – Plasma from a lavender top (EDTA) tube is the only acceptable sample type. Mix sample thoroughly(Each test requires individual aliquot)
CD46 – Draw one green top tube (Sodium or Lithium Heparin) or one lavender top tube (EDTA).
Specimen Preparation
AH50, CH50, C3NEF – 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 or at -70°C.
Preferred volume: 1.5 mL serum, frozen(Each test requires individual aliquot - 0.5 mL per aliquot )
FHL, FIL, FBL, BBL, SC5b-9 – 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: 2.5 mL plasma, frozen(Each test requires individual aliquot - 0.5 mL per aliquot)
CD46 – Do not centrifuge! Keep at room temp (18-22°C).
Preferred volume: 4 mL ambient whole blood
Pediatric Collection
AH50, CH50, C3NEF – 1 mL serum, frozen
FHL, FIL, BBL, FBL, SC5b-9 – 500 µL plasma, frozen
CD46 – 1 mL ambient whole blood
Unacceptable Conditions
AH50, CH50, FBL, BBL, C3NEF, FH, FIL, SC5b-9 - thawed specimens
CD46 -Frozen, clotted, hemolyzed or centrifuged specimens. Anticoagulants other than heparin or EDTA. Specimens >24 hrs old.
Storage Transport Temp
AH50, CH50, FBL, BBL, C3NEF, FHL, FIL, SC5b-9 – Send frozen serum/plasma 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
AH50, CH50, C3NEF, FHL, BBL, FBL, FIL, SC5b-9 - Frozen at -70°C: 1 year
CD46 – 24 hours at room temperature (18-22°C)
Notes
This panel includes the following components: AH50, CH50,BBL C3NEF, FHL FIL, CD46, SC5b-9, FBL