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Test Code ALPS Alpha Beta Double-Negative T Cells for Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome, Blood

Reporting Name

ALPS Screen

Useful For

Diagnosing autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, primarily in patients younger than 45 years

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Whole Blood EDTA


Shipping Instructions


Testing is performed Monday through Friday. Specimens not received by 4pm (CST) on Friday may be canceled.

 

Collect and package specimen as close to shipping time as possible. It is recommended that specimens arrive within 24 hours of collection.

 

Samples arriving on the weekend and observed holidays may be canceled.



Necessary Information


Ordering healthcare professional name and phone number are required.



Specimen Required


Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)

Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Collection Instructions: Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.

Additional Information: For serial monitoring, it is recommended that specimens are collected at the same time of day.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Whole Blood EDTA Ambient 72 hours PURPLE OR PINK TOP/EDTA

Reference Values

Alpha beta TCR+DNT cells

2-18 years: <2% CD3 T cells

19-70+ years: <3% CD3 T cells

Reference values have not been established for patients that are younger than 24 months of age.

 

Alpha beta TCR+DNT cells

2-18 years: <35 cells/mcL

19-70+ years: <35 cells/mcL

Reference values have not been established for patients that are younger than 24 months of age.

 

Alpha beta TCR+DNT B220+ cells

2-18 years: <0.4% CD3 T cells

19-70+ years: <0.3% CD3 T cells

Reference values have not been established for patients that are younger than 24 months of age.

 

Alpha beta TCR+DNT B220+ cells

2-18 years: <7 cells/mcL

19-70+ years: <6 cells/mcL

Reference values have not been established for patients that are younger than 24 months of age.

 

TCR = T-cell receptor

DNT = Double negative T cell

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Test Classification

This test was developed using an analyte specific reagent. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

86356 x2

86359

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
ALPS ALPS Screen 101414-1

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
23973 %alpha/beta-TCR DNT 34962-1
23974 alpha/beta-TCR DNT 34963-9
28904 % TCR+DNT B220+ 88052-6
28905 Absolute TCR+DNT B220+ 88053-4
23975 Interpretation 69052-9

Interpretation

The presence of increased circulating T cells (CD3+) that are negative for CD4 and CD8 (double-negative T cells: DNT) and positive for the alpha/beta T-cell receptor (TCR) is required for the diagnosis of autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS).

 

The laboratory finding of increased alpha beta TCR+DNT cells is consistent with ALPS only with the appropriate clinical picture (nonmalignant lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and autoimmune cytopenias). Conversely, there are other immunological disorders, including common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), which have subsets for patients with this clinical picture, but no increase in alpha beta TCR+DNT cells.

 

If the percent of the absolute count of either the alpha beta TCR+DNT cells or alpha beta TCR+DNT B220+ cells is abnormal, additional testing is indicated. All abnormal alpha beta TCR+DNT cell results should be confirmed (for ALPS) with additional testing for defective in vitro lymphocyte apoptosis followed by confirmatory genetic testing (ALPSG / Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome [ALPS] Gene Panel, Varies).

Clinical Reference

1. Oliveira JB, Bleesing JJ, Dianzani U, et al. Revised diagnostic criteria and classification for the autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS): report from the 2009 NIH International Workshop. Blood. 2010;116(14):e35-40

2. Consonni F, Gambineri E, Favre C. ALPS, FAS, and beyond: from inborn errors of immunity to acquired immunodeficiencies. Ann Hematol. 2022;101(3):469-484. doi:10.1007/s00277-022-04761-7

3. Bleesing JJ, Brown MR, Dale JK, et al. TCR alpha beta+ CD4-CD8-T-cells in humans with the autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome express a novel CD45 isoform that is analogous to urine B220 and represents a marker of altered O-glycan biosynthesis. Clin Immunol. 2001;100(3):314-324

4. Bleesing JJ, Janik JE, Fleisher TA. Common expression of an unusual CD45 isoform on T-cells from patients with large granular lymphocyte leukemia and autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome. Br J Haematol. 2003;120(1):93-96

5. Lopez-Nevado M, Gonzalez-Granado LI, Ruiz-Garcia R, et al. Primary immune regulatory disorders with an autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome-like phenotype: Immunologic evaluation, early diagnosis and management. Front Immunol. 2021;12:671755. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.671755

Report Available

3 to 4 days

Method Name

Flow Cytometry

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Benign Hematology Test Request Form (T755) with the specimen.