TABLE 5.

Percent detection of HCV RNA in specimens subjected to various processing conditions in six collection tube types

Specimen and time (h)	% Detected
	SST	K2-EDTA	K2-EDTA (PPTc)	Sodium citrate	ACD	Sodium heparin
Whole blooda
4	100	100	100	100	100	100
6	100	100	100	100	100	100
24	100	100	100	100	100	100
Decanted sampleb
0	100	100	98.3	100	100	100
8	100	100	100	98.3	100	96.0
24	100	100	100	94.9	97.4	100
48	100	100	98.3	94.9	100	100

^aWhole blood with 50 HCV RNA copies/ml was allowed to stand at room temperature for the times indicated prior to processing by centrifugation.

^bDecanted serum and plasma samples with 50 HCV RNA copies/ml were centrifuged within 4 h of collection and stored at 2 to 8°C for the times indicated prior to freezing.

^cPPT, plasma preparation tube.