Effects of storage and type of blood collection tubes on hepatitis C viruslevel in whole blood samples

In this study, we compared serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA concentrations ,vith HCV RNA concentrations in whole blood collection tubes, including two different types of EDTA tubes and nucleic acid stabilization tubes (NASTs) , We also investigated the impact of a processing delay on HCV RNA concentr ation in these tubes. In NASTs, the mean HCV RNA concentration was comparab le to the mean serum HCV RNA concentration at "date zero." In EDTA tubes, m ean baseline HCV RNA concentrations were higher, Storage at room temperatur e up to 96 h did not result in a decline of HCV RNA concentration in any of the whole blood collection tubes. In NASTs, HCV RNA concentrations remaine d stable during the whole study period, whereas a significant increase of H CV RNA was observed in both types of EDTA tubes at 96 h compared to date ze ro. We concluded that HCV RNA remains stable in NASTs at room temperature f or at least 96 h, allowing greater flexibility in sample collection and tra nsport.