Transmission of blood and serum samples

Until recently comparatively little attention has been paid to the problems arising from the transmission of blood and serum samples for serological testing. But the question has now acquired greater importance and urgency with the development of international parallel testing of sera and with the need to send sera for testing from survey areas remote from laboratory facilities. The author summarizes the results of various experiments to determine the effect of transport on blood and serum samples in transmission by post and by air, through hot, temperate, and cold climates. These have shown that time and temperature have a very considerable effect on the keeping qualities of whole blood and of serum, and that preservatives can be useful, at least with sera. But they have also made it clear that the causes of infection and haemolysis of samples still require much study.Thought must also be given to the size, shape, and general construction of blood-sample containers if specimens are to arrive safely at their destination and if contamination is to be avoided.