EBV Serology

Blood: 5 mL blood in GOLD TOP serum separator tube (SST).

Also acceptable: 5 mL blood in ORANGE TOP rapid serum tube (RST) or RED TOP tube

Blood: Specimens may be stored on or off the clot, red blood cells, or separator gel for up to 24 hours at room temperature (15-30°C) or up to 7 days at 2-8°C. If testing will be delayed more than 24 hours for specimens stored at room temperature or more than 7 days for specimens stored at 2-8°C, remove serum from the clot, red blood cells, or separator gel and store at -20°C or colder. Avoid more than three freeze/thaw cycles.

Outside Laboratories: Ship samples on dry ice, do not freeze/thaw. If freezer and/or dry ice is not available, ship immediately at 2-8°C (ice pack), shipment time must not exceed 7 days from collection. Samples stored at 2-8°C greater than 7 days old will be rejected.

Unacceptable samples: Cord blood, neonatal specimens, cadaver specimens, heat-inactivated specimens, or body fluids such as saliva, urine, amniotic fluid, pleural fluid or plasma. Specimens with obvious microbial contamination, lipemic or are grossly hemolyzed.