Dear All, We have used Transfix for transportation of samples from Johannesburg to London, Royal Free Hospital, with great results (Glencross et al, Cytometry 2002; 50 (2); 69-77) and Jani et al, 2002(listed below) . Transfix enables fixation of samples so that they can be tested up to 10 days after venesection, without loss of flow scatter or antigen expression (basically they remain the samples retain the characteristics of fresh samples up to 10 days after collection). Our angle was aimed at showing (1) that Transfix fixation facilitated testing without loss of cell count or antigen expression (enabling us to do comparative testing) in sites thousands of km apart, and further (2) demonstrated our initial aim for use of such fixatives in resource poor settings, to increase accessibility of testing in third world countries. In other words, Transfix could facilitate transport of samples from remote areas, where sample fixation could be performed in a laboratory with very basic pathology facilities, to more high tech referral centre for testing (e.g. to facilitate a flow CD4 T cell counts rather than advocate the use of lesser technology like manual bead counting) (Jani et al, Journal of Immunological Methods 2002; 257: 145-154.) See also: Barnett D, Granger V, Pockley AG, Saxton JM, Storie I., Whitby L and Reilly JT. TransFix: A Sample Stabilising Fluid for use in Cellular Hematology and Immunology. Cytometry (Communications in Cytometry) 1998; 38:88 (abstract). Shafaie A, Bergeron M, Phaneuf S, Mandy F, Granger V, Reilly JT and Barnett D. A Robust Whole Blood Preparation for Absolute Counting. Cytometry 2000; Suppl. 10; 145. Shafaie A, Bergeron M, Mandy F, Granger V, Reilly JT and Barnett D. (2000) TransFixed whole blood may be a QC solution for the single platform cell enumeration. Cytometry, Suppl. 10: 146. Contact David Barnett at UK NEQAS and I am sure that he will gladly help you out with some Transfix supplies. D.Barnett@sheffield.ac.uk Debbie Glencross -----Original Message----- From: Fishbaugh, Justin [mailto:justin-fishbaugh@uiowa.edu] Sent: 26 November 2002 12:26 To: cyto-inbox Subject: fix first stain later for surface antigens Greetings, We have an investigator that needs the ability to fix human blood and stain later for surface and possibly intracellular antigens. A search of Medline came up with Jani et al, "Affordable CD4+ T cell counts by flow cytometry II. The use of fixed whole blood in resource-poor settings," Journal of Immunological Methods, Volume 257, Issues 1-2, Pages 145-154. This article talks about using a fixative called TransFix made by UK NEQAS before staining. A search of the UK NEQAS website did not find anything referencing TransFix. Does anyone have experience with this stuff or have some other magic potion that would do the trick? Thanks. Justin Fishbaugh Technical Director Flow Cytometry Facility Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center University of Iowa 48 EMRB Iowa City, IA 52242 (319) 335-8103 Tel (319) 335-8049 Fax http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/flowcytometry/
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