Which statement describes the preparation of autologous serum or plasma used as anti-proteinase therapy?

Which statement describes the preparation of autologous serum or plasma used as anti-proteinase therapy?

• A. Obtain blood into red or lavender top tube, spin, remove serum and refrigerate
• B. Add anticoagulant to whole blood and inject
• C. Freeze-dry serum for storage
• D. Use EDTA directly as serum

Answer: (A)

Autologous serum or plasma therapy relies on isolating the liquid portion of the patient’s blood that contains protective proteins and protease inhibitors. To obtain serum, draw blood into a tube without anticoagulant (a plain red-top tube), allow it to clot, then centrifuge so the clot separates from the liquid; collect the clear serum and store it refrigerated for use. This provides the anti-protease and growth-factor components needed for ocular surface healing. Using anticoagulant-containing tubes would favor plasma preparation, not serum, and would alter the composition critical for this therapy. Freeze-drying is not a standard, immediate preparation step for topical use, and using EDTA directly as serum is inappropriate because EDTA prevents clotting and contaminates the product.

Autologous serum or plasma therapy relies on isolating the liquid portion of the patient’s blood that contains protective proteins and protease inhibitors. To obtain serum, draw blood into a tube without anticoagulant (a plain red-top tube), allow it to clot, then centrifuge so the clot separates from the liquid; collect the clear serum and store it refrigerated for use. This provides the anti-protease and growth-factor components needed for ocular surface healing. Using anticoagulant-containing tubes would favor plasma preparation, not serum, and would alter the composition critical for this therapy. Freeze-drying is not a standard, immediate preparation step for topical use, and using EDTA directly as serum is inappropriate because EDTA prevents clotting and contaminates the product.