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Test Code LAB3958 Lymphocyte Proliferation to Antigens

Important Note

Note: Limited specimen stability 
Specimens must be received within 24 hours of collection on SCH Seattle Main Campus and by noon Monday-Friday. Testing is not performed on weekends or holidays; adjust collections accordingly.
Cell Markers Lab can only set this test up between 8 am-12 pm on weekdays, due to the nature of this test. Consistent timing of setup and subsequent test steps is imperative to quality patient results.

Clinical System Name

Lymphocyte Proliferation to Antigens

Synonyms

Lymphocyte Antigen Stimulation
Lymphocyte Function Analysis
T cell proliferation to antigens

Antigen Stimulation Study

AG STIM
Lymphocyte proliferation

Lymphocyte stimulation

Tetanus stimulation

Candida stimulation

Description

The Lymphocyte Proliferation to Antigens assay is used to evaluate cellular immune system functionality and is useful for diagnosing disorders of T-cell immunity. This assay measures the in vitro proliferation of lymphocytes after exposure to the antigens tetanus toxoid (TT) and/or Candida albicans (CA) which stimulate T-cells in an antigen-specific manner dependent on prior in vivo exposure through infection or vaccination. The magnitude of proliferation, quantified as the percentage of EdU-positive cells within specified populations, reflects antigen-specific memory responses and functional adaptive immune competence. Please note, abnormal results are not specific for a particular disease state, and the magnitude of the abnormality detected may not be directly related to the degree of immunodeficiency.

The Click-iT EdU assay (EdU assay) is a flow cytometry-based proliferation assay that enables simultaneous measurement of DNA synthesis and immunophenotypic identification of T-cells. Cell proliferation is quantified as the percentage of EdU-positive cells within defined populations, including live singlet CD45+ cells (CD45+EdU+%) and live singlet CD3+CD45+ T-cells (CD3+EdU+%).

Sample Requirements

Specimen:  Whole Blood

Container(s):  Dark Green/Sodium Heparin (no serum separator)

Preferred Vol:  10 mL

Minimum Vol:  10 mL (if unable to collect 10 mL, please contact lab at 206-987-2560; see note above)

Draw an additional 10 mL Na-Hep if mitogen stimulation studies (PHA or CD3) are also ordered.

Processing Instructions

Rejection criteria: specimens greater than 24 hours old. If specimen is near the 24 hour stability limit at receipt, notify Cell Markers at x72560 to determine ability to perform test.

Requisition Entry: If no stimulants are indicated on the requisition, please select both Candida & Tetanus. 

Spin: N

Aliquot: N

Temp: RT

Storage

Days: Transport specimen, copy of Cell Markers Peripheral Blood Requisition (if applicable), and labels to the Cell Markers lab (station #181). Notify Cell Markers at x72560 right away if specimen is near 24 hour specimen stability limit - billing/ordering problems should not delay delivery to lab.

Eves/Nights: Store specimen, copy of Cell Markers Peripheral Blood Requisition (if applicable), and labels in the Cell Markers RT box in CPA.

Off-site collection:  A normal control should accompany the specimen. It is critical samples be kept at room temperature; use extra packing to maintain temperature. If specimen will not arrive at Children's before noon for same day testing, blood should be drawn as late in the day as possible, maintained at room temperature, and sent overnight to allow test set-up the following morning. Testing must be set up within 24 hours of collection. Dark Blue Na Heparin okay, but dark green tops preferred.Transport all tubes at RT to Seattle Children's Hospital address on requisition: Laboratory FB.2.441, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA  98105. 

Stability

Temperature Time
Room temp 24 hours
Refrigerated N
Frozen N

 

Availability

STAT Performed TAT
N

Monday - Friday; must be in lab before noon

 7 - 10 days

Limited specimen stability - see specimen requirements.

Performing Laboratory

Seattle Children's Laboratory    

Department

Department:  Cell Markers

Phone Number: 206-987-2560

 

 

Methodology

Method:  Lymphocyte proliferation in response to antigen stimulation with enumeration using the Click-iT EdU flow cytometry-based assay

Analytical Volume: dependent on absolute lymphocyte count

Limitations: None specified

Reference Range

Reference values accompany patient report.

CPT Codes

 

  CPT CODE
Set up and initial Antigen Stimulant

86353
Each additional Antigen Stimulant 86353

 

Requisition

Cell Marker Requisition