One 7.5 mL serum separator tube (SST). Also acceptable: One 4.5 mL light green top plasma separator tube (PST) or one 4 mL lavender top tube (EDTA).
Handling:
Allow to clot, centrifuge and separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours. Refrigerate. Freeze if specimen cannot be tested within 8 days. Allow no more than one freeze/thaw cycle.
Stability:
8 days refrigerated, or 3 months at -25° C if frozen within 24 hours of collection.
Standard Volume:
1 mL serum or plasma.
Minimum Volume:
0.5 mL serum or plasma.
Transport:
Refrigerated, or frozen on dry ice.
Comments:
Measurement of C-reactive protein aids in evaluation of myocardial infarction, stress, trauma, infection, inflammation, surgery, and neoplastic proliferation.