Effect of clotting temperature and eosinophil concentration on the eosinophil cationic protein concentration in serum.

Earlier investigations have indicated the need for detailed instructions about the incubation conditions of blood samples before establishment of eosinophil cationic protein concentration in serum. Therefore, the effect of different clotting temperatures and eosinophil concentrations on the serum eosinophil cationic protein concentration was quantified in 40 subjects. Our results show that serum eosinophil cationic protein concentrations strongly depend on the clotting temperature. Blood samples clotted for 1 h at 37 degrees C had 5-10 times higher serum eosinophil cationic protein concentrations than blood samples of the same subject clotted for 1 h at 0 degrees C. Higher eosinophil counts resulted also in increased serum eosinophil cationic protein concentrations.