Hepatitis C virus RNA in dried serum spotted onto filter paper is stable at room temperature

To overcome the instability of viral RNA, we carried out hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA detection in dried serum spotted onto filter paper. The spotted serum samples were stored at room temperature and then processed for PCR assay at intervals of 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks. The results showed that serum HCV RNA is stable in a dried condition, as it was detectable in spotted serum samples stored for 4 weeks at room temperature. Furthermore, although the HCV RNA titer showed an approximately 10-fold reduction in virus yield in dried serum stored at room temperature for 4 weeks, the PCR results of frozen serum samples and dried serum samples matched completely. This storage method facilitates transport and analysis by nucleic acid amplification techniques even when freezing conditions are not available.