TransFix^® Has Been Used to Prevent Cellular Degradation in Animal Blood for Analytical Testing Purposes.

Like with human whole blood specimens, animal whole blood degrades over time, rendering it no longer suitable for examination e.g in flow cytometry. Researchers have found that the addition of TransFix to animal blood samples at the time of collection has significantly extended the integrity of the samples in several different species.

Independent research studies involving the use of TransFix in stabilising animal blood samples have been published:

Case Study 1: Chickens

A rapid high precision flow cytometry based technique for total white blood cell counting in chickens. C.Seliger, et al. Veterinary Immunology and immunopathology (2012) Volume 145, 86-99.

TransFix was used to stabilise samples to demonstrate that samples can be shipped and stored prior to analysis. TransFix was used to stabilise and transport the avian blood samples. The automated analysis of total white blood cell count and white blood cell differentials is routine in research and clinical diagnosis in mammalian species. In contrast, in avian haematology these parameters are still estimated by conventional microscopic procedures due to technical difficulties associated with the morphological peculiarities of avian erythrocytes and thrombocytes. Both cell types are nucleated and fairly resistant to cell lysis, a prerequisite for automated leucocyte quantification and differentiation by commercial instruments. By using an anti-CD45 monoclonal antibody in combination with selected subset specific markers we have established a simple (no-lyse no-wash single-step one-tube) flow cytometry based technique for high precision chicken blood cell quantification.

* Cytomark has not independently verified these findings and we recommend that internal validation of the product must be completed by the end user before considering use of the products in a clinical setting.

Case Study 2: Turkeys

Effects of Cyclosporin A induced T-lymphocyte depletion on the course of avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) infection in turkeys. D. Rubbenstroth, et al. Developmental & Camparative Immunology (2010) 34, issue 5, 518-529.

The avian Metapneumovirus (Ampv) causes an economically important acute respiratoroy disease in turkeys. While antibodies were shown to be insufficient for protection against aMPV-infection, the role of T-lymphocytes in the control aMPV-infection is not clear. In this study, the role of T-lymphocytes in aMPV-pathogenesis in a T-Cell suppression model in turkeys was investigated. Blood samples were collected with a syringe and were immediately transferred to S-Monovette EDTA-tubes. A total volume of 400ul EDTA-treated blood was mixed with 80ul fixation reagent TransFix, resulting in a 1.2-FOLD dilution of the sample. Samples were then stored for up to 1 day until further analysis.

* Cytomark has not independently verified these findings and we recommend that internal validation of the product must be completed by the end user before considering use of the products in a clinical setting.

TransFix has also been used to successfully stabilise whole blood from the following species: mouse, rat, guinea pig, sheep, seal, turtle, ostrich and pig. However, these studies have yet to be published. Cytomark does not take liability if TransFix is used in applications other than those validated by Cytomark.

Features of TransFix

• TransFix is a patented stabilisation solution that has been shown to prevent cellular degradation in animal blood for analytical testing purposes.

• TransFix is validated for the stabilisation of whole blood for flow cytometric analysis, and is CE marked as an In-Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device for this purpose.

• The active components of TransFix stabilise leucocytes and leucocytic antigens for up to 10 days at 2-25°C ⁽¹⁾.

Benefits of TransFix

Whole blood samples treated with TransFix directly after venepuncture, are preserved for up to 10 days at 2-25°C giving the following advantages:

• More time in which to conduct testing – greater flexibility in the laboratory

• Ensures sample integrity during transportation between sites

• Reduction in the requirements of repeat sampling

• The ability to batch samples for testing

TransFix is also easy to use; just add and mix by inversion.

Flow Cytometric Testing of Animal Blood Samples

The active components of TransFix stabilise leucocytes and leucocytic antigens. By using TransFix to stabilise human blood it is possible to determine leucocytic sub-populations via flow cytometric analysis up to 10 days after collection. Quantitative and qualitative changes in lymphocyte subsets are used to identify and monitor immunological diseases.

Sample preparation is detailed in the “Instructions for Use” documents associated with each product. Please click on each of the of the product codes in the table below to view this.

Product Information

TransFix has been shown to prevent cellular degradation in animal blood for research purposes.

Product Code	Description	Quantity
TFB-01-1	TransFix	1ml
TFB-01-10	TransFix	10 x 1ml Tubes
TFB-01-50	TransFix	50 X 1ml Tubes
TFB-20-1	TransFix	20ml