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

Summary

Researchers tested how stable Pentraxin 3, a protein marker for fungal infections, remains when stored under different conditions. They found that samples stored in freezers at −20°C or −80°C kept stable for months, making Pentraxin 3 a reliable marker for diagnosing serious fungal infections. However, samples stored at warm temperatures degraded quickly, so proper cold storage is essential for accurate test results.

Background

Pentraxin 3 (Ptx3) is an acute-phase protein that specifically targets fungal galactosaminogalactan and has been proposed as a biomarker for invasive fungal infections. However, its stability in clinical samples during storage has not been well established. Understanding Ptx3 stability is crucial for its reliable use in both retrospective and prospective clinical studies.

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. The research assessed whether Ptx3 remains stable under various storage conditions to confirm its reliability as a biomarker.

Results

Ptx3 remained highly stable in serum and BALF samples for up to 8 months at −20°C with variations of −1.8% to +2.8%. Long-term stability was observed at −80°C for 48 months followed by 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 samples.

Conclusion

Ptx3 is a stable and reliable biomarker for invasive fungal infections when appropriate storage conditions are maintained. Samples should be stored at −80°C or −20°C for optimal preservation, while storage at +37°C should be avoided for accurate Ptx3 quantification in clinical applications.
  • Published in:Medical Mycology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40576635, DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaf057
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