A Blood Specimen Is Received in the Laboratory for a PCR

Multiple Choice

A blood specimen is received in the laboratory for a PCR assay to detect cytomegalovirus (a DNA virus) on a Wednesday night. The PCR assay will not be performed until the next Monday morning. How should this specimen be stored to maintain the integrity of the nucleic acid prior to analysis?

A) Lyze RBCs, centrifuge, and store at 22^oC
B) Lyze RBCs, centrifuge, and store at -20^o
C) Whole blood stored at 22^o-25^oC
D) Whole blood stored at 35^o-37^oC