SPECIMEN PROCESSING and HANDLING

Collect blood in a red-top tube (no gel). Allow blood to clot (10-15 minutes) at room temperature. Centrifuge and separate the serum from the cells. Transfer the serum to a plastic screw-cap vial. Freeze as soon as possible. Note: Cytokine levels may demonstrate diurnal variation. Recommend cytokine levels be determined at the same time of day for improved longitudinal comparison.