Abstract: A stabilization reagent composition, particularly desirable for stabilizing blood samples containing platelets, contains reactants that generate multiple species of formaldehyde-ammonium complexes; at least one inhibitor of phosphatase enzymatic activity; and at least one inhibitor of protease enzymatic activity. Blood samples and other tissues are stabilized by this composition. Such stabilized samples are produced by methods for stabilizing the tissue by contacting the sample with the composition.

Abstract: A kit for assessing the level of pentraxin-binding moieties on particles in a biological sample containing a ligand comprising a pentraxin is useful in a method of assessing pentraxin-binding of particles for use in diagnosis of disease or abnormality. The method includes the steps of (a) exposing a biological test sample containing particles that comprise a pentraxin-binding receptor from a test subject to a ligand comprising a pentraxin in the presence of calcium; (b) determining quantitatively the level of binding between particles and ligand in said test sample; and (c) comparing the level of binding in said test sample to the level of binding in a control biological sample containing said particles from a healthy subject of the same species as the subject supplying the test sample. A change in the level of binding in said test sample from that of the control sample is indicative of disease or abnormality.

Abstract: A kit for assessing the level of pentraxin-binding moieties on particles in a biological sample containing a ligand comprising a pentraxin is useful in a method of assessing pentraxin-binding of particles for use in diagnosis of disease or abnormality. The method includes the steps of (a) exposing a biological test sample containing particles that comprise a pentraxin-binding receptor from a test subject to a ligand comprising a pentraxin in the presence of calcium; (b) determining quantitatively the level of binding between particles and ligand in said test sample; and (c) comparing the level of binding in said test sample to the level of binding in a control biological sample containing said particles from a healthy subject of the same species as the subject supplying the test sample. A change in the level of binding in said test sample from that of the control sample is indicative of disease or abnormality.