Specimen Requirements:
Bone marrow aspirate: Minimum of 2 ml in a heparinized (green top) tube.
Peripheral Blood: One EDTA (preferred; purple top) tube or heparinized (green top) tube with at least 5 ml of blood.
NOTE: Peripheral blood or bone marrow blast count or target population should be at least 25%. If bone marrow, send one non-heparinized, unstained bone marrow slide if possible.
Lymph nodes: Preferably 1 cm3 fresh tissue in RPMI or any other growth media. Normal saline may be used if RPMI is unavailable and transport time is kept to a minimum. A small portion of all tissues (or other tissues) will be processed for histologic sections.
Body fluids: Require a minimum of approximately 100,000 cells (e.g. 100 cells/ul x 1 ml; 10 cells/ul x 10 ml)
Fine needle aspirates: Place cores (preferably two) and any additional aspirate in RPMI or other growth media.Normal saline may be used if RPMI is unavailable and transport time is kept to a minimum.
Special Instructions: In all cases, notify the lab before the specimen is sent (412 624-3746). If possible, notify lab one day in advance. Specimens must be received by 5:00 pm on Fridays, and by 3 pm the day before a holiday. If a late arrival is anticipated, please call the laboratory to confirm that the test can be performed. Send a COMPLETED requisition. Send all specimens at room temperature. Use adequate safety measures in transporting sample.
T-LYMPHOCYTE TEST SPECIFICATIONS:
Test Description:
This test may be identified as T Cell Subsets, T and B Cells, T4/T8 counts and other synonyms. The complete CDC recommended test panel includes a Total T or Pan T antibody, a Total B cell or Pan B antibody, a Total Helper antibody, a Total Suppressor antibody, the Helper/Suppressor, and a Total Natural Killer antibody. There are no functional tests associated with these antibodies.
A limited CD4 evaluation can be performed if requested. However, this is not endorsed by the CDC.
Specimen Requirements:
One 5 ml EDTA (purple top) tube or two BD microtainer (purple top) pediatric tubes. Store sample at room temperature.
DNA BY FLOW ANALYSIS:
Test Description:
This test may be identified as DNA ploidy, DNA/cell cycle analysis, and DNA analysis of cells. This test involves the examination of cellular DNA content. A DNA index is established for diploid and aneuploid cells in tumors, in addition to providing cell cycle statistics. This testing is sent to a reference laboratory.
Specimen Requirements:
Whole blood: 10 ml yellow (ACD), purple (EDTA) or green (heparin) anticoagulated venous blood kept at ambient temperature and analyzed within 24 hours of drawing.
Bone marrow: 1 ml heparinized marrow kept at ambient temperature and analyzed within 24 hours of drawing.
CONTACTS, DIVISION OF HEMATOPATHOLOGY:
