title: The stability of hepatitis C virus RNA after storage at +4 degrees C.
abstract: One of the major issues in nucleic acid testing is how to store blood samples to obtain reliable results. We therefore studied hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA concentration in samples after storage at +4 degrees C or freezing and thawing. Six HCV RNA-positive, untreated subjects were studied. Blood samples were collected from these subjects in plasma preparation tubes. The HCV RNA concentration was analysed after storage at +4 degrees C for 168 h or after five freeze-thaw cycles. For HCV RNA quantification we used a qualitative and a quantitative commercial test. After 168 h of storage at +4 degrees C, the HCV RNA concentration was similar to that observed at time-point 0 (5.025 log vs 5.492 log). In one sample we observed a significant fall in HCV RNA concentration. After five freeze-thaw cycles, the HCV RNA concentration was lower than that observed at time-point 0 (4.454 log vs 5.492 log) and in four samples we observed a significant fall in HCV RNA concentration. Our data suggest that HCV RNA is stable in whole blood samples stored at +4 degrees C for 168 h. Based on our results, we conclude that the standard procedures for transport of blood samples (at room temperature for a maximum of 5 h) and storage schedules (+4 degrees C for a maximum of 48 h) can be maintained without compromising the quality of results.
authors.affiliation: Regional Centre of Co-ordination and Compensation and Transfusional Service, Venice, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gessoni
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frigato
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fezzi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Fusco
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arreghini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marchiori
mesh_terms: D001782:Blood Donors; D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000379:methods; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004355:Drug Stability; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005615:Freezing; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral