• Sample needs to be collected either before treatment with interferon or more than 24 hours following the most recent dose
• Patient should not be on steroid therapy for at least two weeks prior to testing

Red serum vial/tube - 5 mL

Sample needs to be collected either before treatment with interferon or more than 24 hours following the most recent dose

1. Allow sample to clot
2. Spin within 48 hours of sample collection
3. Transfer serum to a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp), labelled as serum

Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp)

Gold serum separator (SST) tube

Immediately following collection, mix sample thoroughly by gentle inversion, 5 times

1. Allow sample to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
2. Spin within 48 hours of sample collection

Gold serum separator (SST) tube

Refrigerated (preferred)

Frozen - 180 days

Ambient - 72 hours

Viral cytopathic effect assay

<1:20