Lymphocyte Subset Panel 4 - T-Cell Subsets Percent and Ratio, Bronchoalveolar Lavage
Also known as: LYMBAL
Use
This test is used to support a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. It involves the assessment of T-cell lymphocyte subsets from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, specifically focusing on the CD4/CD8 ratio. A CD4/CD8 ratio greater than 3.5 is suggestive of sarcoidosis, and if the ratio is above 5.0 with compatible clinical and radiographic findings, some institutions accept it as a diagnosis of sarcoidosis even with a negative biopsy.
Special Instructions
Specimens must be analyzed within 48 hours of collection. Separate orders must be submitted for multiple samples from different source sites. The collection time may need to vary for submitting samples with the same collection date.
Limitations
The test has limitations including unacceptable conditions such as whole blood, excess mucus, excess peripheral blood, too few lymphocytes, frozen or room temperature specimens, specimens older than 48 hours, and contaminated specimens. The test's performance characteristics were determined by ARUP Laboratories but it has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Interpretive information indicates the test is designed to enumerate the percent of T-cell lymphocyte subsets in BAL.
New York Approved
Methodology
Cell-based / Cytometry (Flow Cytometry)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 97594-6
- 97595-3
- 97596-1
- 97599-5
- 31208-2
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Bronchoalveolar Lavage
Volume
4 mL
Minimum Volume
3 mL
Container
sterile container
Causes for Rejection
Whole blood, excess mucus, excess peripheral blood, too few lymphocytes, frozen or room temperature specimens, specimens older than 48 hours, contaminated specimens.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | Unacceptable |
| Refrigerated | 48 hours |
| Frozen | Unacceptable |