CD4/CD8 Subset Assay (LAB000567) | |
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Test Mnemonic: | CD4/CD8 |
Specimen Requirements: | |
Collection: | EDTA (Lavender-top tube). Fill tube within +/- 10% from the fill line. An EDTA microtainer tube is acceptable for pediatric patients. NOTE: Specimens collected on Friday must reach Galveston Lab by noon. Use Streck Cyto-Chex BCT collection tubes (Streck Cat # 213361) to avoid test cancellations. Time-sensitive specimens should not be collected late Friday or on the eve of a holiday. |
Container: |
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Minimum Volume: | 1 ml |
Storage/Transport: | Specimen must be stored at room temperature (18-25°C). DO NOT REFRIGERATE. |
Specimen Preparation: | Specimen must be stained within 48 hours of draw and analyzed within 24 hours of staining |
Stability: | Specimen collected in standard EDTA tube is stable for 48 hours from the time of collection and stored at Room Temperature. Specimen collected in Cyto-Chex BCT tube are stable for 5 days from the time of collection and stored at Room Temperature. |
Causes for Rejection: |
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Reference Range: | By report (reports may vary based on instrumentation, patient age, and sex) |
Turnaround Time: | 48 Hours from the time of receiving in the lab. Note: Testing is performed Monday- Friday (8 am-5 pm). Friday's cut-off is noon |
Methodology: | This assay is designed to enumerate percentage and absolute cell counts of lymphocyte subsets in whole blood samples. Whole blood is added with fluorochrome-labeled antibodies that bind specifically to cell surface antigens on lymphocytes. After incubation, lysing, and fixation, percent and absolute counts are enumerated using an internal quantitation standard and run on a Flow Cytometer instrument. |
Performed: | University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston |
Lab: | Hematopathology Division; Flow Cytometry Section; CSW 7.412 |
Clinical Indication: | The CD4 cells are Helper T-cells expressing both CD3 and CD4. The CD8 cells are Cytotoxic T-cells expressing both CD3 and CD8. CD4 T-cell levels are a criterion for categorizing HIV-related clinical conditions by the CDC's classification system for HIV infection. The measurement of CD4 T-cell levels has been used to establish decision points for initiating P. jirovecii prophylaxis, antiviral therapy and to monitor the efficacy of treatment. The Public Health Service (PHS) has recommended that CD4 T-cell levels be monitored every 3 to 6 months in all HIV-infected persons. |
CPT 4 Code: | 86360 |
When ordering tests for which Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement will be sought, physicians should only order tests that are medically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of the patient. Components of the organ or disease panels may be ordered individually. The diagnostic information must substantiate all tests ordered and must be in the form of an ICD-10 code or its verbal equivalent. |