RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Stability of porphyrins and porphyrin precursors in urine and plasma samples: implications for sample handling and storage
JF Journal of Clinical Pathology
JO J Clin Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 574
OP 578
DO 10.1136/jcp-2024-209443
VO 77
IS 8
A1 Gallagher, Claire J
A1 Bentley, Lucy-Anne
A1 Challenger, Rhiannon
A1 Jones, Martyn
A1 Schulenburg-Brand, Danja
YR 2024
UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/77/8/574.abstract
AB The porphyrias are rare disorders of haem biosynthesis. Diagnosis requires demonstrating increased porphyrins or porphyrin precursors in blood, urine and faeces. Patients may only be investigated once, and therefore, understanding the preanalytical factors affecting the reliability of results is crucial. Guidance for sample handling exists, but published evidence regarding the stability of porphyrins and their precursors is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of light exposure and different storage temperatures on analyte stability for measurement of urinary aminolaevulinic acid and porphobilinogen, total urine porphyrin and plasma porphyrin. Our results confirm that all samples should be protected from light. Results from samples exposed to light for greater than 4 hours should be interpreted with caution and repeat samples requested. If transported to a specialist laboratory, samples should be stored at 4°C before transport. Transit time at ambient temperatures should be less than 24 hours.