Effect of various storage conditions on a fluorescence polarization immunoassay for tobramycin

The effects of various storage conditions on the results of a fluorescence polarization immunoassay for tobramycin were studied. Two venous blood samples (150 mL each) were drawn one hour and six hours after a single intramuscular dose of tobramycin. From each of these samples, which represented peak (6 micrograms/mL) and trough (1 microgram/mL) concentrations, aliquots of whole blood and of serum were prepared and stored in both glass and polypropylene containers. Serum samples were stored at -20 degrees C and assayed for tobramycin at intervals of 1-372 days. Samples of serum and whole blood were stored at 4 and 25 degrees C and assayed on days 1, 3, and 7. Mean tobramycin concentrations over time and between-run coefficients of variation were calculated for each set of samples. There was no substantial variation in tobramycin concentrations over time. Significant differences between tobramycin concentrations were noted only for peak serum samples in glass versus plastic containers at -20 degrees C and for trough serum samples stored in glass at -20 degrees C versus 25 degrees C. However, these differences were small and are unlikely to be clinically important. Under the conditions tested, the results of a fluorescence polarization immunoassay for tobramycin do not appear to be affected by storage time, storage temperature, container material, or storage medium (whole blood versus serum).