Advanced Diagnostic Laboratories

Blood Lymphocyte Stimulation with Beryllium

Test Code

BELPT

Description

The beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) is the gold standard screening tool for workers who are exposed to beryllium. This simple blood test identifies beryllium sensitization and is recommended for workers with exposure to any form of beryllium dust or fumes – including pure beryllium metal, copper-beryllium alloys, aluminum-beryllium alloys, nickel-beryllium alloys, recycled scrap containing beryllium, ceramics and composite materials. Exposure to beryllium can be harmful and can cause health effects such as beryllium sensitization (BeS) and chronic beryllium disease (CBD).

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Department of Energy both require workers receive beryllium lymphocyte proliferation testing as part of their medical surveillance exams.

Collect

Collect 30-40 mL of blood in green (sodium heparin) topped tubes. Gently invert several times to mix and prevent clotting. DO NOT centrifuge.

Patient Prep

POSITIVE PATIENT IDENTIFICATION [Labeling] requires we use two (2) pieces of information [identifiers].

Both identifiers must match exactly on the specimen label and the requisition/order that corresponds to that specimen.
Where appropriate for multiple samples submitted together, specimen collection information (e.g. site or source, date and time of collection, etc.) must also be included on the specimen label.

Unacceptable Conditions

Centrifuged specimens, specimens received after 30 hours of draw, frozen specimens.

Storage Transport Temp

Send ambient blood Priority Overnight via FedEx or UPS in a well insulated container (or in the ADx shipping kit). Specimen must be received in the laboratory within 30 hours of collection.

Order Shipping Kits

Stability

AMBIENT: 30 HOURS

Note: Samples shipped from New York State must be received within 24 hours of collection.

Notes

For more than 10 patient samples, ADx Client Services must be called at 800.550.6227 to schedule testing before sample is shipped. Please include the number of specimens you anticipate sending. We accept samples Monday through Saturday.

Performed

Monday - Sunday

Methodology

Lymphocyte stimulation in cell culture

Turnaround Time

14 days

Department

Immunology Lab - Functional Assay

Synonyms

Lymphocyte Proliferation (Beryllium Lymphocyte Stimulation, Blood), BeLPT, Metals (Beryllium Lymphocyte Stimulation, Blood), LPT, BER1, belpt, ber1, BE Order Set, beryllium transformation

Study Offerings

Not offered

Related Tests

Lymphocyte Proliferation Assessment: (begin with Lymphocyte enumeration, CDC panel, TBCDC), Lymphocyte proliferation to candida antigen (LSCAN), Lymphocyte proliferation to ConA mitogen (LSCON), Lymphocyte proliferation to PHA mitogen (LSPHA), Lymphocyte proliferation to PWM mitogen (LSPWM), Lymphocyte proliferation to tetanus antigen (LSTET)