Beryllium Lymphocyte Proliferation Test (BeLPT) Bronchoalveolar Lavage Collection, Handling and Shipping Procedures

Below are collection and shipping instructions for the BAL BeLPT. Please contact the Beryllium Program at (303) 398-1722 if you would like information regarding testing in quantity, other beryllium-related services, beryllium clinical evaluations, or with comments, questions or concerns.

All specimens sent to the laboratory should conform to all Federal and IATA shipping regulations.

Thank you for choosing Advanced Diagnostic Laboratories (ADx) at National Jewish Health.

Sample:

Please Note: It is recommended that the sample be obtained from wedged position in lingual or right middle lobe; 240cc NS instilled and gently aspirated in 60cc aliquots. To perform this test we need a minimum of 15 million white cells and strongly recommend that you send 20 million or more.

1. Call the Client Services Department at 1-800-550-6227 or fax 1-800-652-9556 to schedule testing.
2. The lavage must be received within 24 hours, and must reach the lab before 10:00 am on the day that the test is to be performed.
3. Perform cell count and differential. Include report of cell count and differential results with the sample.
4. Centrifuge the lavage specimen (approximately 1200 rpm x 10 minutes).
5. Remove supernatant. Re-suspend cells in complete medium. This consists of:
6. RPMI 1640 (or similar tissue culture medium)
7. Gentamicin sulfate or pen/strep (0.5% by volume)
8. Serum 10% by volume (can use pooled AB positive serum or patient's own serum)
9. Final concentration of cells in media should be approximately 5-10 million cells per ml. Place in a plastic centrifuge tube and seal.
10. Label tube with: patient's name, date of sample, identification number and "LPT - Beryllium - Lavage".
11. Pack the tube in a Styrofoam container. Do not refrigerate. Keep at room temperature. Do not pack on ice. Avoid temperature extremes.
12. Label package: "DELIVER IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT FREEZE. PERISHABLE".
13. Please download a requisition in PDF format, and enclose it with the name, address and phone number of the patient and referring physician and/or institution for reporting results and for billing. A diagnosis code must be included with all test requests.