Effects of handling and storage of blood on the stability of hepatitis C virus RNA: Implications for NAT testing in transfusion practice

Background and Objectives: To determine the stability of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA during transport and storage of blood samples from donors, prior to screening for HCV by nucleic acid amplification technology. Materials an d Methods: Various blood and plasma sample types were stored for up to 120 h at different temperatures and the HCV RNA level was measured using an in house quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results : No decline in HCV RNA level was observed after 72 h of storage of whole b ood at 4 degrees C in EDTA tubes (Greiner) and Plasma Preparation Tubes (PP T; Becton Dickinson), while insignificant declines of 0.2 log(10) and 0.25 log(10) occurred at 25 degrees C after 72 h in the EDTA tubes and PPT tubes , respectively. When whole blood was stored with mixed anticoagulants CPDA- 1 and EDTA for up to 120 h, no decline in HCV RNA level was observed at 4 d egrees C and 25 degrees C, while a significant decline of 0.37 log(10) occu rred at 37 degrees C after 120 h. The temperature during transportation was investigated with a 12-hour period at 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C before storage at 4 degrees C for 108 h, Neither temperature resulted in any loss of HCV RNA in comparison with 120 h of storage at 4 degrees C. Conclusion: Whole blood anticoagulated with EDTA or CPDA-1/EDTA may be stored at up to 25 degrees C (room temperature) for up to 5 days without any significant l oss in plasma HCV RNA level. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.