CPT Codes

86481

Synonyms

  • TB, QFT, M. tuberculosis, QuantiFERON

Performing Laboratory / Facility

UCLA Healthcare Clinical Laboratory - Brentwood

Performing Section

Immunoserology

Availability

Daily

Turnaround Time

3 days

Methodology

Immunoassay

Use

QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus is an indirect test for M. tuberculosis infection (including disease) and is intended for use in conjunction with risk assessment, radiography, and other medical and diagnostic evaluations. The QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus is a test that measures the cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses to peptide antigens that simulate mycobacterial proteins. These proteins, ESAT-6 and CFP-10, are absent from all BCG strains and from most nontuberculosis mycobacteria with the exception of M. kansasii, M. szulgai, and M. marinum. Individuals infected with M. tuberculosis complex organisms usually have lymphocytes in their blood that recognize these and other mycobacterial antigens. This recognition process involves the generation and secretion of the cytokine, IFN-gamma. The detection and subsequent quantification of IFN-gamma forms the basis of this test.

Additional Information

The performance of the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus test has not been extensively evaluated in children younger than 17 years of age. Therefore, there is no published data to document the performance of QFT-G in this age group.

Specimen Type

Blood

Container

Quantiferon Tubes

Collection Instructions

For each patient, collect 1 mL of blood by venipuncture directly into each of the four (4) QFT-Plus blood collection tubes. As the 1 mL tubes draw blood relatively slowly, keep each tube on the needle for 2-3 seconds once the tube appears to have completed filling to ensure that the correct volume is drawn. The black mark on the side of the tubes indicates the required fill volume range of 0.8 to 1.2 mL. If the level of blood in any tube is outside of the indicator mark, a new blood sample should be obtained. Under or overfilled tubes, outside of the 0.8 to 1.2 mL range, will be rejected by the laboratory. If a butterfly needle is being used, a purge tube should be used to ensure that the tubing is filled with blood prior to the QTF-Plus blood collection tubes being used.
Immediately after filling the tubes, shake them ten times just firmly enough to make sure the entire inner surface of the tube is coated with blood.
Label tubes appropriately. Ensure each tube (Nil, TB1, TB2, and Mitogen) is identifiable by its label or other means once the cap is removed. Deliver tubes to the Laboratory at room temperature. Tubes must be received by the performing laboratory within 16 hours of collection.

Volume

See collection instructions

Minimum Volume

See collection instructions

Storage Temperature

Room Temperature

Stability

Specimen type Refrigerated (2 - 8°C) Room Temp (15 - 25°C) Frozen (-20°C) Frozen (≤-70°C)
Unspun tube N/A 16 hours N/A N/A
Spun tube 28 days N/A Long term Long term

Special Instructions

To request for the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus collection set:
For RRUCLA and SMUCLA patients - Call the laboratory at 310-267-8100
BURL Outreach patients - Call BURL Client Services at 310-267-2680

Shipping and Handling Instructions

Specimens must be received by the testing laboratory within 16 hours of collection. Transport specimens at room temperature
Do not refrigerate or freeze blood specimens.

Ambulatory Specimen Processing / Transport

Specimens must be received by the testing laboratory within 16 hours of collection. Transport specimens at room temperature
Do not refrigerate or freeze blood specimens.

Causes for Rejection

Specimen collected in wrong container; inadequate specimen volume; improper storage; leaking specimen; specimen not transported at room temperature; specimens not received at performing lab within 16 hours of collection.

Reference Range

Negative
Test Information

CPT Codes

86481

Synonyms

  • TB, QFT, M. tuberculosis, QuantiFERON

Performing Laboratory / Facility

UCLA Healthcare Clinical Laboratory - Brentwood

Performing Section

Immunoserology

Availability

Daily

Turnaround Time

3 days

Methodology

Immunoassay

Use

QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus is an indirect test for M. tuberculosis infection (including disease) and is intended for use in conjunction with risk assessment, radiography, and other medical and diagnostic evaluations. The QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus is a test that measures the cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses to peptide antigens that simulate mycobacterial proteins. These proteins, ESAT-6 and CFP-10, are absent from all BCG strains and from most nontuberculosis mycobacteria with the exception of M. kansasii, M. szulgai, and M. marinum. Individuals infected with M. tuberculosis complex organisms usually have lymphocytes in their blood that recognize these and other mycobacterial antigens. This recognition process involves the generation and secretion of the cytokine, IFN-gamma. The detection and subsequent quantification of IFN-gamma forms the basis of this test.

Additional Information

The performance of the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus test has not been extensively evaluated in children younger than 17 years of age. Therefore, there is no published data to document the performance of QFT-G in this age group.
Specimen Collection and Handling

Specimen Type

Blood

Container

Quantiferon Tubes

Collection Instructions

For each patient, collect 1 mL of blood by venipuncture directly into each of the four (4) QFT-Plus blood collection tubes. As the 1 mL tubes draw blood relatively slowly, keep each tube on the needle for 2-3 seconds once the tube appears to have completed filling to ensure that the correct volume is drawn. The black mark on the side of the tubes indicates the required fill volume range of 0.8 to 1.2 mL. If the level of blood in any tube is outside of the indicator mark, a new blood sample should be obtained. Under or overfilled tubes, outside of the 0.8 to 1.2 mL range, will be rejected by the laboratory. If a butterfly needle is being used, a purge tube should be used to ensure that the tubing is filled with blood prior to the QTF-Plus blood collection tubes being used.
Immediately after filling the tubes, shake them ten times just firmly enough to make sure the entire inner surface of the tube is coated with blood.
Label tubes appropriately. Ensure each tube (Nil, TB1, TB2, and Mitogen) is identifiable by its label or other means once the cap is removed. Deliver tubes to the Laboratory at room temperature. Tubes must be received by the performing laboratory within 16 hours of collection.

Volume

See collection instructions

Minimum Volume

See collection instructions

Storage Temperature

Room Temperature

Stability

Specimen type Refrigerated (2 - 8°C) Room Temp (15 - 25°C) Frozen (-20°C) Frozen (≤-70°C)
Unspun tube N/A 16 hours N/A N/A
Spun tube 28 days N/A Long term Long term

Special Instructions

To request for the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus collection set:
For RRUCLA and SMUCLA patients - Call the laboratory at 310-267-8100
BURL Outreach patients - Call BURL Client Services at 310-267-2680

Shipping and Handling Instructions

Specimens must be received by the testing laboratory within 16 hours of collection. Transport specimens at room temperature
Do not refrigerate or freeze blood specimens.

Ambulatory Specimen Processing / Transport

Specimens must be received by the testing laboratory within 16 hours of collection. Transport specimens at room temperature
Do not refrigerate or freeze blood specimens.

Causes for Rejection

Specimen collected in wrong container; inadequate specimen volume; improper storage; leaking specimen; specimen not transported at room temperature; specimens not received at performing lab within 16 hours of collection.
Result Interpretation

Reference Range

Negative

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