Blood Specimens Stable In Cyto-Chex® BCT™ At Elevated Temperatures

Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of elevated temperatures on blood samples collected and stabilized in Cyto-Chex BCT. The data presented in this report demonstrate that while K2EDTA samples consistently fail to maintain clear lymphocyte separation at elevated temperatures, Cyto-Chex BCT stabilizes CD3, CD4 and CD8 for seven days at 30°C. Additionally, CD3 and CD4 are stable at 37°C for 72 hours. The ability of Cyto-Chex BCT to stabilize CD4 positive cell counts upon exposure to high temperatures can improve the reliability of HIV monitoring in resource-poor settings. Additionally, domestic and international transportation of HIV samples during the summer months may also benefit from collection and storage in Cyto-Chex BCT.