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Epic Code LAB3619 TB Screen (QuantiFERON® Gold Plus)

Important Note

The performance of the USA format of the QFT test has not been extensively evaluated with specimens from individuals who have impaired or altered immune function, are younger than 17 years of age, or are pregnant.

When labeling, do not cover the small black square on the specimen tube.

If you recieve one lithium heparin 10 mL tube instead of four tubes, please refer to this document: Supply Change Notification

Test Name Alias

TB | Tuberculosis | Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) | QFT | IGRA | LTBI | MTB | 7105

Interface Order Alias

55059

Quick Collect

LOOK+LOOK

Clinical Information

A positive result should not be the sole or definitive basis for determining infection with M. tuberculosis. It should be followed by further medical evaluation for active tuberculosis disease (e.g., Acid fast bacilli (AFB) smear and culture, chest x-ray).

 

Diagnosing or excluding tuberculosis disease, and assessing the probability of Latent TB Infection (LTBI), requires a combination of epidemiological, historical, medical, and diagnostic findings that should be taken into account when interpreting QuantiFERON® Gold IT results. See General guidance on the diagnosis and treatment of TB disease and LTBI (http://cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/).

 

The performance of the USA format of the QFT test has not been extensively evaluated with specimens from individuals who have impaired or altered immune function, are younger than 17 years of age, or are pregnant.

Icons & Photos

Preferred Collection (1 tube) - 10 mL Lithium Heparin Green Non Gel tube
Do not substitute 6.0 or 4.0 mL. Check that you are using Lithium and NOT Sodium.

 

Collection Instructions

 

LINK: Collection Quick Guide 

 

 

PREFERRED COLLECTION (1 TUBE)

Specimen Type: Blood
Container/Tube: 10 mL Lithium Heparin Green Non Gel (Room temparature)

  • Preferred Volume to Collect: 10 mL
  • Minimum Volume to Collect: 5 mL
  • Capillary collect ok? No
  • Microtainer acceptable: No

Collection Instructions: 

  • Must use 10 mL non-gel tube, cannot substitute with other tube sizes.
    • Do not use green lithium gel tubes
  • After collection, gently invert tube 8-10 times.
  • Specimen must be held at room temperature for at least 15 minutes and refrigerated within 3 hours.

Processing Instructions (Laboratory, Outpatient or Off-site collection)

  • Transport Temperature: Refrigerated
  • Please transport refrigerated specimens to the lab within 48 hours.

 

ALTERNATE COLLECTION (4 TUBE)

Spectrum Health is no longer supplying the 4-tube collection containers. If you need support on how to collect and process the 4-tube kit, please visit the vendor website using the Resources section on the left. Specimen will still be processed at the Laboratory. 

 

It is recommended collection staff are trained on collection of TB Screen QuantiFERON® (QFT) 4 tube prior to collecting the specimen. Incorrect collection could lead to aberrant results.

 

 

Lab Staff Instructions

  • Transplant TB Screen (aka "Tspot") is only for patients with immunosuppressive conditions or those undergoing treatment with immunosuppressive drugs.

1 tube collection:

  • Follows standard order of draw and collection

4 tube collection:

  • Specimen must be incubated within 16 hours of collection at SHRL. PolicyTech: #24836
  • Keep tubes at room temperature 22°C ± 5°C until placed in incubator for the gray, green, yellow and purple tubes.  Policy Tech: #24836
  • Multiple Labels should print for each TB Screen order, it does not matter which suffix letter goes on what tube.

Specimen Stability

Lithium tube (1 tube):

 

  • Ambient: 15 minutes to 3 hours before refrigeration.
  • Refrigerated: Up to 48 hours before transfer to single tubes and incubation.

(Once arrived in lab)

  • Transfer to QFT tubes: Specimen must be brought to room temperature before transfer to QFT single tubes.
  • Incubation: QFT Single tubes should be placed in 37° C within two hours of transfer. Total time from blood draw to incubation should not exceed 53 hours.
  • Lithium tube NOT refrigerated: MUST be transferred to the QFT single tubes within 12 hours of collection.

QFT 4 Tube set:

  • Ambient: 16 hours after collection

Laboratory Retention: 5 days

Test Frequency

Available Monday through Friday, usual turn-around time 2 to 4 days.

Reference Range

Negative

Performing Department

Immunochemistry

Performing Department Laboratory Location

Corewell Health Reference Laboratory, Grand Rapids, MI

Methodology

Interferon-gamma release assay

CPT

86480
Professional Fee for Pathologist Interpretation may apply

CDM Code

3028648001 

Epic Test ID

1230101919

LOINC

QuantiFERON-TB Gold: 71775-1

Mayo Access Code

SHO55059

Additional Information

As of 9/18/2018, three-tube collection kits are no longer accepted and will be canceled. 

Reviewed Date

12/13/2022