Specimen Requirements
Minimum of 1.0 mL serum; alternately 1.0 mL serum from Red Top tube
Supplies for Submission
SST/Gold Top (1); alternately Red Top (1)
Specimen Collection
- IgG antibody sensitivity reaches a maximum at 14 days after exposure or symptom onset.
Collect sample between these two time points: at least 10 days after the onset of symptoms and no more than 3 days beyond the end of symptoms. - Submit demograhical and clinical data along with sample.
- Label serum separator tube (SST) with two identifiers. Acceptable identifiers include patient’s name, date of birth, social security number, requisition number, and medical record number.
- Allow SST contents to clot in an upright position for at least 30 minutes (60 minutes for Red Top tube).
- SST specimen - centrifuge within 2 hours of collection and refrigerate.
- Red Top specimen - centrifuge within 2 hours of collection, transfer serum to a plastic transport tube labelled appropriately and as Red Top serum, and refrigerate.
Storage Requirements
Refrigerated.
Specimens are stable if stored at room temperature for 3 days, refrigerated for 7 days, or frozen for 1 month.