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TEST ID QNKS Natural Killer (NK)/Natural Killer T-Cell Subsets, Quantitative, Blood

Reporting Name

Quantitative NK/NKT Subsets

Specimen Type

WB Sodium Heparin


Ordering Guidance


This assay does not measure cell-surface or intracellular proteins on natural killer or natural killer T-cell subsets.

 

A minimum CD45 lymph count (as measured by flow cytometry in the laboratory) is required to report this test. If that requirement is not met (eg, patients with severe lymphopenia), the test will be canceled and an alternate test will be suggested (TBBS / Quantitative Lymphocyte Subsets: T, B, and Natural Killer [NK] Cells, Blood).



Shipping Instructions


Send specimen Monday through Thursday only. Specimen must arrive within 24 hours of collection and by 10 a.m. Central time on Friday.

 

Collect and package specimen as close to shipping time as possible. Ship specimen overnight.



Necessary Information


The ordering healthcare professional's name and phone number are required.



Specimen Required


Container/Tube: Green top (sodium heparin)

Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Collection Instructions: Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.

Additional Information: For serial monitoring, it is recommended that specimens are collected at the same time of day.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.2 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
WB Sodium Heparin Ambient 30 hours GREEN TOP/HEP

Method Name

Flow Cytometry

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia OK

Reference Values

The appropriate age-related reference values will be provided on the report. Pediatric reference values are not available for patients younger than 7 years and therefore, interpretation will be based on the 7- to 17-year old ranges with appropriate cautionary statements in the interpretation.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

3 to 4 days

Specimen Retention Time

4 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

86356 x3

86359

86357

Useful For

Quantitation of the major natural killer (NK)-cell subsets relative to total NK cells (NK cell subsets) or total lymphocytes (NK T cells)

 

Assessment in the following clinical contexts: HIV, primary immune deficiencies with NK cell defects, NK-cell lymphocytosis, solid-organ transplantation, immune reconstitution following bone marrow or hematopoietic cell transplantation

 

This test is not useful for diagnosis or classification of NK cell malignancies.

 

This test should not be used for assessing NK cell cytotoxic function.