A few tests also require specimens to be kept at or close to body temperature (98.6°F or 37°C). In this case, an incubator is needed for transportation. They can include:
- Cold agglutinins
- Cryoglobulins
- Blood cultures
- Quantiferon (TB) samples
The testing and test reactions for cold agglutinins and cryoglobulins take place in the refrigerator. Cooling would render the specimens unusable and have to be recollected, causing a delay in turn-around-time for the patient test results.
With blood cultures, the laboratory is trying to retrieve viable microorganisms living at body temperature (98.6°F) and may be shocked when subjected to any temperature change. This compromise may result in the death of the microorganisms and an incorrect negative blood culture report.
