T-Spot TB

For Specimen Integrity during Extreme Weather see the “Lockbox Usage in Extreme Weather” document at the top of this page.

Specimen should arrive at CompuNet's main lab before midnight tansport at room temperature.

TSPOT

75050;
T Spot AB

1 Sodium Heparin (dark green top) tube. Adults and children over 10 years: 6 mL Whole Blood (minimum). Children 2 - 9 years of age: 4 mL Whole Blood (minimum). Children up to 2 years of age: 2 mL Whole Blood (minimum).

Avoid hemolysis.  Store at room temperature.  DO NOT refrigerate.

Specimen should arrive at CompuNet's main lab before midnight (on the collection date).

Sodium Heparin (dark green top) tube

Room Temperature
Specimen should arrive at CompuNet's main lab before midnight (on the collection date).    

Room Temperature = 30 hours
Refrigerated = unacceptable
Frozen = unacceptable

Rejected if received refrigerated or frozen. Rejected for low white cell count.

Monday - Sunday
BS

3 days

The T-Spot test is based upon a cell-mediated immune response in TB-infected individuals. The T cells of the patient are stimulated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens. If the patient has previously been exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the exposure to these antigens in the T-Spot assay stimulate the patient's T cells to secrete the cytokine interferon-γ. The presence of the interferon-γ is then detected using an EIA method. According to the CDC, this assay may be used as a substitute for a TB skin test. It is more specific than the TB skin test, will detect latent TB, and a positive result is obtained in about 85% of the patients with active TB.