ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Lymphocyte Subset Panel 4 - T-Cell Subsets Percent and Ratio, Bronchoalveolar Lavage : 0093420
[ image for: Time Sensitive]
Time Sensitive
  


Mnemonic: LYMBAL

Methodology: Flow Cytometry
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: 1-3 days
Specimen Required: Collect: Bronchoalveolar lavage (Bronch Wash or BAL).

Specimen Preparation: Transfer 4 mL bronchoalveolar lavage to a sterile container. (Min: 3 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature: Refrigerated.

Remarks: Specimens must be analyzed within 48 hours of collection.

Unacceptable Conditions: Whole blood (refer to ARUP test code 0095950). Excess mucus, excess peripheral blood, or too few lymphocytes. Frozen or room temperature specimens. Specimens older than 48 hours. Contaminated specimens.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): Ambient: Unacceptable, Refrigerated: 48 hours, Frozen: Unacceptable
Reference Interval:
By report
Interpretive Data: A CD4/CD8 ratio greater than 3.5 is suggestive of sarcoidosis. If the CD4/CD8 ratio is greater than 5.0 and clinical and radiographic findings are compatible with sarcoidosis, some institutions accept a diagnosis of sarcoidosis even with a negative biopsy. In extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA), the CD4/CD8 ratio is decreased due to a relative increase in the CD8 positive T-cells.

The performance characteristics of this test were determined by ARUP Laboratories, Inc.

See Compliance Statement B: www.aruplab.com/CS
Note: This test is designed for enumerating the percent of T-Cell lymphocyte subsets in BAL. Cells from the BAL are added to fluorochrome-labeled antibodies that bind specifically to cell surface antigens on lymphocytes. The CD4/CD8 ratio is calculated by dividing the CD4 percent by the CD8 percent.
CPT Code(s): 86356; 86356; 86356
Cross References: BAL for CD4/CD8 Ratio (Lymphocyte Subset Panel 4 - T-Cell Subsets Percents and Ratio, Bronchoalveolar Lavage) , Bronch Wash for CD4:CD8 Ratio (Lymphocyte Subset Panel 4 - T-Cell Subsets Percents and Ratio, Bronchoalveolar Lavage)