2-10ºC Storage Claim For Streck's Cyto-Chex® BCT

By Jodi Alt, Ph.D. and Stephanie Wigginton, B.A.

Flow cytometry is the standard analysis method of whole blood samples for monitoring disease progression of patients with HIV/AIDS. The accurate measurement of CD4 T-cells is critical for the evaluation of patient status and treatment decisions. The CDC guidelines for CD4 T-cell analysis requires that K2EDTA blood specimens be collected and analyzed within 48-72 hours of collection. Patients in rural or resource poor settings can be at a disadvantage for the use of this technology in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression if the 48-72 hour guideline for sample analysis is not feasible. If these time constraints are attainable by sample shipment to an outside laboratory, shipping conditions may not be controlled thus compromising sample integrity.