Immediately following collection, thoroughly mix sample by gently inverting 5 times
Gold serum separator (SST) tube
Ambient (preferred) - 7 days
Refrigerated - 7 days
Frozen - 14 days
Freeze/Thaw Cycle - stable x3
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Negative: < 0.91
Equivocal: 0.91 - 1.09
Positive: > 1.09
Send paired serum samples, one during the acute stage, and the second, 3-6 weeks later, during the convalescent stage.