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Time- and temperature-dependent Pentraxin 3 stability in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples

Summary

Researchers tested how well Pentraxin 3, a protein that helps detect fungal infections, stays stable when stored under different conditions. They found that this protein remains reliable when kept frozen at cold temperatures (like in a freezer) for up to several months or even years, but breaks down quickly when stored at body temperature. These findings help doctors and laboratories know how to properly store and test patient samples to accurately diagnose serious fungal infections.

Background

Pentraxin 3 (Ptx3) is an acute-phase protein that specifically targets fungal galactosaminogalactan and has been proposed as a promising biomarker for invasive fungal infections, particularly invasive aspergillosis. However, its stability in clinical samples over time under varying storage conditions has not been previously established.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the stability of Ptx3 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples during mid- and long-term storage at different temperatures to determine its reliability as a biomarker in both retrospective and prospective clinical studies.

Results

Ptx3 remained highly stable in serum and BALF samples for up to 8 months at −20°C (variations −1.8% to +2.8%) and at −80°C for 48 months with minimal changes followed by slow decline. Storage at +37°C resulted in rapid degradation with 36.5%–60.7% increase in serum or 92.9%–97% decrease in BALF. Long-term stability at −80°C was observed for up to 53 months before significant decline occurred.

Conclusion

Ptx3 is a stable and reliable biomarker for invasive fungal infections when stored at appropriate temperatures (−80°C for long-term or −20°C for up to 8 months). Clinical laboratories should avoid storage at elevated temperatures (+37°C) as it causes significant degradation or apparent concentration changes that compromise analytical validity.
  • Published in:Medical Mycology (Med Mycol),
  • Study Type:Prospective and Retrospective Cohort Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40576635, DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaf057
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