Specimen:

Whole Blood

Minimum:

20 ml; two green tops.  Do not use a needle smaller than 21 gauge.

Delivery Instructions:

Keep at room temperature.  Do not refrigerate.

Reference Range:

Internal control and normal range reported with each sample.

Comments:

Since the assay is run on Tuesday only, the blood must be drawn on 
Tuesday.  Do not centrifuge.  This assay is run using viable 
lymphocytes.  Have floor deliver to Cellular Immunology Lab, VAMC Bldg. 
41, Room 223 or Specimen Control (6240 RCP) (within 3 hours of 
drawing).  Must be in lab no later than noon.  Test may also be run on 
Friday, but prior arrangements (1-2 day advance notice) are required. 
Call 158-7550.  This assay examines the ability of a patient's 
lymphocytes to generate IL2, IL2, and other cytokines, in response to a 
physiologic (via the T cell receptor complex) as well as a 
pharmacological stimulus.  An abnormal response would suggest a T 
lymphocyte immune dificiency and would be consistent with a clinical 
picture of recurrent infection, failure to thrive and, possibly, 
recurrent tumors.