Quantiferon Testing
Quantiferon samples must only be taken Monday-Friday /not out of hours, or at weekends/special holidays and it is critical for samples to arrive in the lab before 16:30hrs on the day of collection due to sample processing requirements.
Test Usage
For detection of Mycobacteria tuberculosis infection. The test cannot distinguish between active and latent infection so should be used in conjunction with other disease markers.
Specimen
Please see special instructions below.
To Request On EPIC
For electronic requesting using EPIC (RDUH ONLY):
Search for: ‘Quantiferon TB Gold test‘ or test code ‘LAB1196‘
Special Instructions
Quantiferon – TB Gold uses the following collection tubes:
Purple tube – Mitogen
Green Tube – TB1
Yellow Tube – TB2
Grey Tube – Nil control
- For each patient collect 1ml of blood by venepuncture directly into each of the 4 Quantiferon collection tubes.
- As the 1ml tubes draw blood relatively slowly, keep the tube on the needle for 2-3 seconds once the tube appears to have completed filling to ensure the correct volume is drawn.
The black mark on the side of the tubes indicates the 1ml fill volume. This method has been validated for volumes ranging from 0.8 to 1.2ml. If the level of blood in any tube is not close to the indicator line, it is recommended to obtain another sample.
- If a ‘butterfly needle’ is being used to collect blood, a purge tube should be used to ensure that the tubing is filled with blood prior to the quantiferon TB tubes being used.
Mix the tubes by turning the tube end over end 8 -10 times or shaking the tube for 5 seconds ensuring that the entire inner surface of the tube has been coated with the blood. Thorough mixing is required to ensure complete mixing of the blood with the tube’s contents.
Label the tubes appropriately with patient name, date of birth and NHS / Hospital number.
- Do not refrigerate these tests.
- Bring directly to the laboratory ( not via porters) on the day the sample has been taken
- Samples should be taken no later than 15:00hrs to allow sufficient time for transport to the laboratory.
- Samples MUST arrive in the laboratory by 16:30hrs due to processing requirements.
- Samples must ONLY be taken Monday-Friday /not out of hours, or at weekends/special holidays
- Tubes are available from the Virology department on 2953. They are only issued to the following locations:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Paediatrics ( respiratory )
- Gastroenterology
- Rheumatology
Availability
Processed locally in Microbiology at RDUH
Turnaround Time
1 – 2 weeks (batched and run on alternate weeks)
Specimen Labelling Procedure
