NAT results of HBV and HCV under different vacuum collection tubes, storage temperature and storage time / 中国输血杂志

ABSTRACT

【Objective】 To verify the results of HBV DNA and HCV RNA screening under different brands of vacuum collection tubes for blood samples, storage temperature and storage time. 【Methods】 Experiment 1 was conducted as follows: blood samples were collected simultaneously from 52 voluntary blood donors using two brands(divided into group A and group B) of vacuum collection tubes for blood samples. The plasma separation of group A and group B were compared, and the effects of storage time on the NAT yield of HBV DNA and HCV RNA were statistically analyzed. Experiment 2 was conducted as follows: the effects of different storage temperature, time and tubes on the NAT yield of HBV DNA and HCV RNA samples with low viral load in group A and B were verified and compared in the simulated phlebotomy condition. 【Results】 In Experiment 1: After centrifugation, blood plasma layer and cells layer were separated completely in group A(100%, 52/52), but one sample was not well separated in group B(1/52, 1.92%). After 4 to 10 h after collection, blood samples of two groups were centrifuged and screened for HBV DNA, HCV RNA within 24 h. No positive samples were yielded and the Ct values of internal control(IC-DNA and IC-RNA) were uniform. In Experiment 2: Whole blood samples, stored for either 4 h or 6~10 h at 4 ℃ or 25℃ before centrifugation, showed no difference on the NAT-yield of HBV DNA nor HCV RNA samples with low viral load(P>0.05). Ct values of HBV DNA and HCV RNA of group A was similar to those of group B as centrifuged samples were stored for 24 h or 72~104 h at 4℃(P>0.05), but all increased as the storage time prolonged. Ct values of HBV DNA in group A increased from 33.45±0.29(24 h) to 33.82±0.08(72~104 h) and HCV RNA from 35.21±0.20 to 36.12±0.43; HBV DNA from 33.46±0.25 to 34.30±0.60 and HCV RNA from 35.47±0.24 to 36.49±0.51 in group B. 【Conclusion】 Under certain laboratory condition, different storage time, storage temperature and tubes shed few effect on the NAT-yield of HBV DNA and HCV RNA samples with low virus loads. However, it is suggested that the blood sample be detected within 72 h after centrifugation at 4 ℃ storage.