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

Summary

This study investigated how stable Pentraxin 3 (Ptx3), a protein used to detect fungal infections, remains when stored at different temperatures. Researchers found that Ptx3 stays reliable for up to 8 months in freezer storage at −20°C and even longer at −80°C, making it a dependable biomarker for diagnosing serious fungal infections. However, storing samples at room temperature (37°C) causes the protein to break down quickly, so proper cold storage is essential for accurate test results.

Background

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

Objective

This study evaluated 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 (−1.8% to +2.8% variation) and up to 48 months at −80°C before slow decline. Storage at +37°C resulted in rapid degradation with 36.5%–60.7% increase in serum and 92.9%–97% decrease in BALF Ptx3 levels.

Conclusion

Ptx3 is a stable and reliable biomarker for invasive fungal infections when appropriate storage conditions are maintained, specifically at −20°C for short-term and −80°C for long-term storage up to 53 months. Samples should not be stored at 37°C for analysis.
  • Published in:Medical Mycology,
  • Study Type:Prospective and Retrospective Cohort Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40576635, DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaf057
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