• 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

1. Allow sample to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
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) - 28 days

Frozen - 6 months

Ambient - 72 hours

Viral cytopathic effect assay

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