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Test Code LAB3350 NK Functional Analysis

Important Note

This test will be offline at Cincinnatti Children's through December 2025. For alternate (and preferred) assessment, please order CD107a Mobilization Assay.

Collect Monday through Wednesday 1000 - 1400 ONLY. No regional site collections.

Additional Codes

NK Funct

Clinical System Name

NK Functional Analysis

Synonyms

Natural Killer Function

HLH: NK Function

NK Cell Function

Natural Killer Cell Function

Sample Requirements

Specimen: Whole Blood

Container(s): Dark Green/Sodium Heparin

Preferred Vol: See Table Below

Minimum Vol: Call Send Outs at (206) 987-2563

 

Note: Samples must be drawn Monday through Wednesday, 1000 - 1400 ONLY. Samples drawn outside of these times will be rejected. If drawn outside of the times, contact the Send Outs department at ext. 7-2563 for further clarification. Send sample(s) to Main Lab immediately after collection. Specimens are stable for only 24 hours at room temperature.

 

 

ALC (K/mcL) ALC (cells/mcL) mL of Sodium Heparin blood required
>1.00 >1000 5.0
1.00 1000 5.0
0.90 900 5.5
0.80 800 6.0
0.70 700 6.5
0.60 600 7.5
0.50 500 9.0
0.40 400 11.0
0.30 300 15.0
0.20* 200* 25.0*
0.10* 100* 45.0*
<0.10* <100* 50.0*

IMPORTANT NOTE: *For Absolute Lymphocyte Counts (ALC) below 200 cells/mcL, consider waiting until count increases.

Processing Instructions

Reject due to: Frozen, clotted, hemolyzed or centrifuged specimens. Specimen collected in an unacceptable anticoagulant.

Spin: N

Aliquot: N

Temp: RT

Storage Location: Affix a large Epic label to the sample(s), place in the room temperature Send Outs rack, and notify the Send Outs department.

 

Off-site Collection: No regional site collections.

Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole Blood Room Temp 24 h
  Refrigerated Unacceptable
  Frozen Unacceptable

 

Availability

STAT Performed TAT
N M - F 6 d

 

Performing Laboratory

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

Diagnostic Immunology Laboratory

DIL - Rm R2328

3333 Burnet Avenue

Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039

 

Phone: (513) 636-4685

Department

Department: Send Outs

Phone: (206) 987-2563

Methodology

Method: Chromium Release

Analytical Volume: See "Sample Requirements" section for more information.

Limitations:

Reference Range

Interpretive report is provided.

CPT Codes

86352, 86357

Description

Natural killer (NK) cells are a subset of cytotoxic lymphocytes that have the ability to induce cell death in tumor cells or in virally infected cells. NK cells play a crucial role in the homeostasis of the immune system. They are typically characterized by the expression of CD16 and CD56 on their cell surface.

Send Out Instructions

Reference Test Name: Natural Killer Function (NK Function)
Reference Lab Test Code: 2900800
Instructions: Ship ambient, Monday through Wednesday, via FedEx Priority Overnight. Saturday deliveries are not accepted.