Cytomegalovirus quantitation by real-time PCR is unaffected by delayed separation of plasma from whole blood.
A previous study suggested that delayed sample preparation can cause a false-positive plasma cytomegalovirus (CMV) PCR. We evaluated 78 samples submitted for CMV testing, and we report that a 24-h delay in plasma separation did not affect viral quantitation by real-time PCR. Laboratories should evaluate specimen handling requirements for their own PCR technology.
Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
Shannon E
SE
Nesbitt
Linda
L
Cook
Keith R
KR
Jerome
D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods; D003199:Computer Systems; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004355:Drug Stability; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D004279:DNA, Viral