Comparison of heparin and EDTA transport tubes for detection of cytomegalovirus in leukocytes by shell vial assay, pp65 antigenemia assay, and PCR.

摘要

The anticoagulants heparin and EDTA were compared for inhibitory effects on the detection of cytomegalovirus from washed leukocytes in specimen transport tubes. Evaluation was made by the centrifugation/shell vial culture technique, the pp65 antigenemia assay, and PCR. For each assay, the results with heparin and EDTA were equivalent.