Short-term stability of pathogen-specific nucleic acid targets in clinical samples.
The stability of pathogen-specific DNA or RNA amplification targets in clinical samples following short-term storage at room temperature, 4°C, and -80°C was assessed by real-time PCR. In purified nucleic acid extracts, both DNA and RNA targets were stable for up to 30 days, irrespective of storage temperature. In unextracted samples, temperature-dependent loss of targets (P < 0.05) was observed in serum and cerebrospinal fluid specimens, while no changes were observed for EDTA blood samples.
Division of Microbiology, Virology and Infection Control, Department of Pathology, Children's and Women's Health Centre of BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Rubayet.Hasan@cw.bc.ca
Mohammad R
MR
Hasan
Rusung
R
Tan
Ghada N
GN
Al-Rawahi
Eva
E
Thomas
Peter
P
Tilley
D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D009696:Nucleic Acids