Specimen Requirements

QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Collection Kit - 4 tube collection (see complete collection details below)

Min: 1 mL per tube (4 tubes)

**Tubes will be rejected if under or over-filled.　 A syringe may be used if needed to ensure correct blood volume.　 If a butterfly needle is used, first draw a "waste" tube and then proceed with the four TB Quant tubes.

Sample must be incubated within 16 hours of collection.

Collection
1.    Collect 1 mL of blood into each of 4 tubes. Ensure each tube is labelled with the correct label (e.g. tube labelled Gray placed on gray tube, etc.)
•    Tubes fill relatively slowly.  Keep the tube on the needle for 2–3 seconds once the tube appears to have completed filling to ensure that the correct volume is drawn.
•    Blood must be within the small black indicator mark on the label when tube is upright.
•    If butterfly needle is used, first collect other required tubes or use a “purge” tube to ensure that the tubing is filled with blood prior to the tubes being used.
•    Immediately shake the tubes 10 times just firmly enough to make sure the entire inner surface of the tube is coated with blood.
•    Over-vigorous shaking may cause gel disruption and could lead to erroneous results.
2.    Label tubes such that “QuantiFERON” band and entire specimen volume and black mark are visible.
3.    Maintain tubes at room temperature until incubation.
•    It is recommended that incubation at your facility start as soon as possible.
•    Incubation must be started within 16 hours of collection.
Processing
Note: LABQFTPLUS specimens that have not been incubated and centrifuged will be rejected. See steps 4-7.
4.    Invert tubes for 5 seconds immediately before incubation.
5.    Incubate all 4 tubes upright at 37°C for 16-24 hours.
•    Improper incubation may cause erroneous results.
6.    Centrifuge tubes for 15 minutes at 2,000-3,000 RCF (g).
7.    Place all 4 tubes together in the supplied transport bag.
8.    Store refrigerated 2°C-8°C. Stable 28 days refrigerated.
9.    Send refrigerated with next courier pick-up.