TransFix® : A Cellular Antigen Stabilisation Reagent

TransFix is added to samples (blood & CSF) at the time of collection, immediately stabilising leukocytes for up to 10 days and preventing enzymatic degradation of cellular markers. This enables flexibility with testing and reduces the impact of unexpected staff shortages or machine breakdown in laboratory settings. The extended storage time also allows samples to be transported to/from remote sites, reduction in repeat testing and the ability to batch samples for testing. These benefits all have the potential to reduce costs for the laboratory.

TransFix is available in several formats (CE unless stated), including: TransFix/EDTA Vacuum Blood Collection Tubes, TransFix Sample Storage Tubes, TransFix/EDTA CSF Sample Storage Tubes (RUO) and TransFix in bulk format.

TransFix is CE marked but can also be used for research purposes.

Benefits of TransFix^®

• Stabilises cell surface antigens for a minimum of 10 days at 2-25°C ⁽¹⁾ and for 4 days at 37°C ⁽²⁾
• Easy to use, just add TransFix and mix by inversion
• Ensures sample integrity during transportation between clinical sites
• Eliminates the need for weekend and evening work
• Reduces the impact of unexpected machine breakdown or staff shortages
• Allows for repeat testing of samples without the need for patient recall and repeat phlebotomy
• Greater efficiency in testing – allows for batching of samples prior to testing
• Reduction in costs associated with the above advantages

Sample Stability

Whole blood degrades over time and blood samples older than 48 hours are no longer suitable for flow cytometric examination. Addition of TransFix to blood samples at the time of collection has been shown to significantly extend the integrity of the samples. We have demonstrated that the immunophenotypic profile is maintained for up to 10 days, including markers: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD10, CD16, CD19, CD34, CD45, CD56, and MPO.

Sample Transport & Batching

The use of TransFix is beneficial in situations where sample storage, batching or transportation is required prior to analysis. This may be particularly relevant in clinical trials and in resource poor or remote areas of the world where there may be extended transit times between the phlebotomy site and laboratory. TransFix treated samples may also be batched together before transportation, thereby reducing the number of shipments to the laboratory and thus reducing costs. In addition, the batching of samples for testing may result in reduced laboratory staffing costs. TransFix stabilised samples can also be transported at ambient temperature, reducing the cost of transportation while maintaining sample integrity.

TransFix also reduces the need to recall patients for additional phlebotomy by extending the window of opportunity for sample testing, resulting in significant cost savings. This may be useful in circumstances where unexpected delays in testing have occurred, e.g. machine break down or transportation delay. TransFix may also reduce the need for out of hours testing as treated samples can be stored until normal working hours. The use of TransFix may therefore reduce the costs associated with out-of-hours testing.

Easy To Use

Samples should be treated with TransFix as soon as possible after phlebotomy. Samples are added to TransFix, inverted and then stored at 2-8°C. The sample can then be treated as a “routine” preparation for subsequent analysis. The dilution factor must be taken into account when calculating cell absolute counts.