Analyte | Minimum Specimen Requirements |
Anti-HCV
Anti-HTLV-I/II
Anti HIV-1/2 | - 1mL serum or plasma. Transport on cold packs to arrive at the NRL as soon as possible following collection but within 7 days. Refrigerate during transit.
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| HIV-1 p24 antigen | - 1mL serum or plasma. Transport on cold packs to arrive at the NRL as soon as possible following collection but within 7 days. Refrigerate during transit.
- Otherwise, freeze sample and transport on dry ice.
|
| HIV & HTLV DNA | - Dedicated 5 – 10mL whole blood collected into EDTA or ACD. Transport at 4 - 25oC to arrive at the NRL preferably within 5 days, but up to 28 days after collection*
- If greater than 5 days, an appropriate specimen for antibody testing (see above) must be supplied except when arranged otherwise with NRL.
|
| HCV RNA | - 5mL whole blood collected into EDTA or ACD. Transport at 4 – 25oC to the NRL within 24 hours of collection; OR
- 1.5 mL plasma separated from cells using aseptic techniques. Transport to the NRL at ambient temperature (15 - 25oC) within 24 hours of collection; OR
- 1.5 mL plasma separated from cells using aseptic techniques then frozen. Transport to the NRL on dry ice if longer than 24 hours after collection.
|
Anti-HIV-1, anti-HCV
(Dried blood spot) | - One drop of whole blood to completely fill a circle (1cm diameter), on Schleischer & Schuell 903 filter paper. Transport at ambient temperature (15 - 25oC) with desiccant.
Results to be used for investigational use only |
