Preferred Specimen(s) 2 mL whole blood plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube in two tubes. For follow up patients of CD4/CD8 counts collect sample at the same time of the day
Instructions Separate plasma from cells by centrifugation within two hours of collection and transfer the plasma to a separate plastic screw-cap vial. Ship frozen. For flow cytometry, samples have to be sent at room temperature at 20- 25°C
Transport Container Plastic screw-cap vial EDTA tube for flow samples
Transport Temperature Frozen for Viral load Room temperature for flow cytometry
Reject Criteria
- Received room temperature
- Received thawed
- Serum
- Heparinized plasma
- Received frozen PPT (white-top) tubes
- Unspun PPT tube
Methodology Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR); Flow cytometry
Clinical Significance This test is useful in the monitoring of therapy and disease progression.