One 4 mL green top tube (sodium heparin) or lavender top tube (EDTA). Make 5 blood films immediately. Also acceptable: Bone marrow slides. Slides should be unstained and unfixed. Refrigerate whole blood immediately. Blood and/or slides should be protected from light.
Handling:
Send refrigerated whole blood to arrive at laboratory within 24 hours of collection.
Stability:
Slides protected from light are stable 5 days.
Standard Volume:
4 mL heparin or EDTA whole blood, or 5 slides.
Minimum Volume:
0.5 mL heparin or EDTA whole blood, or 2 slides.
Transport:
Whole blood refrigerated; slides ambient.
Comments:
Include hematology information (current CBC or bone marrow differential) if available, to assist with pathologist interpretation. This testing is usually performed in consultation with a pathologist for evaluation of hairy cell leukemia. If hairy cell leukemia is a consideration, simultaneous TRAP staining and flow cytometry, Flow Cytometry, Lymphoid Panel (29400), testing is recommended.
Rejection Criteria:
Insufficient material on slides for analysis; damaged slides.