| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Natural Killer Cells
Test Code37088
CPT Codes
86357
Includes
Absolute Lymphocytes
NK Cells CD3-CD16+CD56+ABS
CD3-/CD16+CD56+(%)
NK Cells CD3-CD16+CD56+ABS
CD3-/CD16+CD56+(%)
Preferred Specimen
5 mL whole blood collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Instructions
Do not freeze. Do not transfer whole blood to M4. Submit EDTA tube at room temperature.
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Hemolysis • Received refrigerated • Received frozen
Methodology
Flow Cytometry (FC)
Setup Schedule
Set up: Daily; Report available: 2-3 days
Clinical Significance
Low numbers of NK cells are found in individuals who are susceptible to viral infections, including cytomegalovirus and varicella.
