T814 : QFT - TB GOLD PLUS (QUANTIFERON)

INFORMATION:

Alternate Name:

IGRA

Methodology:

Enzyme Linked Immunoabsorbance

Clinical Utility:

QuantiFERON® TB-GOLD (QFT®) is an FDA-approved blood test that serves as a surrogate marker for M. tuberculosis and can assist in the diagnosis of (but cannot differentiate) active or latent tuberculosis. QFT is an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) that measures the patient’s cellular immune response by sensitized lymphocytes to PPD (purified protein derivate) antigens derived from M.tuberculosis. The assay is not affected by BCG vaccination.

ORDERING:

Test Code:

T814-3

Turnaround Time:

3 DAYS

Preferred Specimen:

6 mL Green Top-Lithium Heparin

Collection:

Container	Qty	Temp	Stability
Green Top-Lithium Heparin	1	Refrigerate	48 HOURS

Collection Instructions:

QFT: Collect one 6 mL LITHIUM heparin (green top) tube. Allow tube to fill completely before removing. Gently mix by inverting the tube several times to dissolve the heparin. Label tube with two (2) patient identifiers and time of specimen collection. Place sample with completed requisition into a QuantiFERON® TB Gold Plus (QFT) specimen bag. Place one (1) sample per bag. Seal bag and place in a refrigerator or cooler maintained at 2-8 degrees C (Sample must be refrigerated within 3 hours of collection) Ship to laboratory as soon as possible. MUST REACH LAB within 48 hours from collection. KEEP REFRIGERATED AT ALL TIMES. DO NOT FREEZE.

Specimen Comment:

PST- GEL/Lithium Heparin tube with gel is not acceptable and will be rejected.

Green- Lithium Heparin (Speedy #169)

No QFTs should be drawn or sent on Sundays to FL1.

Alternative Specimen:

Green- Lithium Heparin, Quantiferon-TB -Tube, Green top- Sodium Heparin