Ordering Guidance

This test is for the pre-bone marrow transplant evaluation of the donor specimen.

Additional Testing Requirements

Shipping Instructions

1. Specimen must arrive within 7 days of collection.

2. Collect and package specimen as close to shipping time as possible.

Necessary Information

The following information is required. Provide  either as answers to the Order Questions or on Chimerism Analysis Information (T594) if not ordering electronically. Testing will be delayed if this information is not provided:

-Full name and date of birth of the recipient

-Specimen type

Specimen Required

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type: Whole blood

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA)

Acceptable: Yellow top (ACD)

Specimen Volume: 4 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Invert several times to mix blood.

2. Label specimen as blood.

3. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.

Specimen Type: Bone marrow

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA)

Acceptable: Yellow top (ACD)

Specimen Volume: 2 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Invert several times to mix bone marrow.

2. Label specimen as bone marrow.

3. Send bone marrow specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.

Specimen Type: Extracted DNA from blood or bone marrow

Container/Tube: 1.5- to 2-mL tube

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:

1. Label specimen as extracted DNA from blood or bone marrow

2. Indicate volume and concentration of the DNA

Specimen Type: Buccal swab

Supplies: Buccal Swab Kit (T543)

Container/Tube: Buccal smear collection kit

Specimen Volume: 2 Cyto-Pak brushes-1 per cheek

Collection Instructions:

1. Patient should rinse out mouth vigorously with mouthwash for approximately 15 seconds.

2. Remove Cyto-Pak brush from container only touching "stick" end. Save container.

3. Using medium pressure, rotate brush several times on inside of cheek.

4. Return brush to container and cap.

5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 on other cheek using second brush.

6. It is important that patient's buccal cells are not contaminated with cells from any other source. Do not touch bristles. Do not brush too vigorously. If blood appears, discard brush and restart collection process.

7. Label each container with patient's name and order number or hospital/clinic number.

Additional Information: It is important that the cells do not dry out during shipping. Ensure that container is tightly sealed.