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Natural Killer Cells, Functional
Test Code34184
CPT Codes
88184, 88185 (x2)
Preferred Specimen
10 mL whole blood collected in a sodium heparin (green-top) tube
Patient Preparation
Normal diet, fasting preferred to avoid lipemia
Minimum Volume
5 mL
Instructions
Specimen must be received in the testing lab within 48 hours of collection. Submit Monday through Thursday only. Maintain and transport blood at room temperature. Avoid temperatures <15° C and >37° C.
In hot weather, it may be necessary to pack the specimen in a container with insulating material around it and place this container with insulating material around it and place this container inside another that contains a cold pack (ice pack) and absorbent material. This method will help retain the specimen at ambient temperature. For longitudinal studies, draw samples at the same time of day to minimize diurnal variation.
Clients: Contact the lab prior to ordering for special logistics arrangements.
PSC: Follow short stability protocol. Test available by prior arrangement only. Special sample collection and transportation arrangements must be made prior to ordering the test. Contact your local customer service department and request to speak to someone in referral testing department for specific instructions.
Submit Monday-Thursday only. Do not draw day before a holiday. Samples received >48 hours after collection will be rejected. Date and time of draw are required and must be provided.
In hot weather, it may be necessary to pack the specimen in a container with insulating material around it and place this container with insulating material around it and place this container inside another that contains a cold pack (ice pack) and absorbent material. This method will help retain the specimen at ambient temperature. For longitudinal studies, draw samples at the same time of day to minimize diurnal variation.
Clients: Contact the lab prior to ordering for special logistics arrangements.
PSC: Follow short stability protocol. Test available by prior arrangement only. Special sample collection and transportation arrangements must be made prior to ordering the test. Contact your local customer service department and request to speak to someone in referral testing department for specific instructions.
Submit Monday-Thursday only. Do not draw day before a holiday. Samples received >48 hours after collection will be rejected. Date and time of draw are required and must be provided.
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Hemolysis • Received frozen • Clotted specimens • Expired (>48 hours)
Methodology
Flow Cytometry (FC)
FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.
Setup Schedule
Tue-Sat
Report Available
2 to 5 Day(s)
Clinical Significance
Natural Killer (NK) cells are larger granular lymphocytes. They are a component of the cell-mediated innate immune system. NK cells are able to kill malignant and virally transformed cells without pre-exposure to antigenic determinants.
NK function is altered in various disorders and in response to drug therapy. Decreased NK cell activity is associated with a compromised immune response and is observed in patients suffering from diseases including AIDS, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjogren syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Additionally, decreased NK activity may explain a predisposition to malignancies and viral infections. Furthermore, increased NK cytotoxicity has been observed in patients suffering from acute viral infection and in women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion.
NK function is altered in various disorders and in response to drug therapy. Decreased NK cell activity is associated with a compromised immune response and is observed in patients suffering from diseases including AIDS, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjogren syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Additionally, decreased NK activity may explain a predisposition to malignancies and viral infections. Furthermore, increased NK cytotoxicity has been observed in patients suffering from acute viral infection and in women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion.
