Test Code APOL1 APOL1 Genotype, Varies
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: A previous hematopoietic stem cell transplant from an allogenic donor will interfere with testing. For information about testing patients who have received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, call 800-533-1710.
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Specimen Type: Whole blood
Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Invert several times to mix blood.
2. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) 4 days/Refrigerated 4 days/Frozen 4 days
Additional Information:
1. Specimens are preferred to be received within 4 days of collection. Extraction will be attempted for specimens received after 4 days, and DNA yield will be evaluated to determine if testing may proceed.
2. To ensure minimum volume and concentration of DNA is met, the requested volume must be submitted. Testing may be canceled if DNA requirements are inadequate.
Specimen Type: Cord blood
Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Invert several times to mix blood.
2. Send cord blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) 4 days/Refrigerated 4 days/Frozen 4 days
Additional Information:
1. Specimens are preferred to be received within 4 days of collection. Extraction will be attempted for specimens received after 4 days, and DNA yield will be evaluated to determine if testing may proceed.
2. To ensure minimum volume and concentration of DNA is met, the requested volume must be submitted. Testing may be canceled if DNA requirements are inadequate.
3. While a properly collected cord blood sample may not be at risk for maternal cell contamination, unanticipated complications may occur during collection. Therefore, maternal cell contamination studies are recommended to ensure the test results reflect that of the patient tested and are available at an additional charge. Order MATCC / Maternal Cell Contamination, Molecular Analysis, Varies on the maternal specimen.
Specimen Type: Saliva
Patient Preparation: Patient should not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum 30 minutes prior to collection.
Supplies: Saliva Swab Collection Kit (T786)
Specimen Volume: 1 Swab
Collection Instructions: Collect and send specimen per kit instructions.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) 30 days/Refrigerated 30 days
Additional information: Saliva specimens are acceptable but not recommended. Due to lower quantity/quality of DNA yielded from saliva, some aspects of the test may not perform as well as DNA extracted from a whole blood sample. When applicable, specific gene regions that were unable to be interrogated will be noted in the report. Alternatively, additional specimen may be required to complete testing.
Specimen Type: Extracted DNA
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Screw Cap Micro Tube, 2 mL with skirted conical base
Acceptable: Matrix tube, 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. The preferred volume is at least 100 mcL at a concentration of 75 ng/mcL.
2. Include concentration and volume on tube.
Specimen Stability Information: Frozen (preferred) 1 year/Ambient/Refrigerated
Additional Information: DNA must be extracted in a CLIA-certified laboratory or equivalent and must be extracted from a specimen type listed as acceptable for this test (including applicable anticoagulants). Our laboratory has experience with Chemagic, Puregene, Autopure, MagnaPure, and EZ1 extraction platforms and cannot guarantee that all extraction methods are compatible with this test. If testing fails, one repeat will be attempted, and if unsuccessful, the test will be reported as failed and a charge will be applied. If applicable, specific gene regions that were unable to be interrogated due to DNA quality will be noted in the report.
Forms
1. New York Clients-Informed consent is required. Document on the request form or electronic order that a copy is on file. The following documents are available:
-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing (T576)
-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing-Spanish (T826)
2. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Renal Diagnostics Test Request (T830) with the specimen.
Useful For
Determining an individual’s APOL1 genotype
This test is not useful for clinical management of individuals with APOL1 risk genotypes.
This test alone is not useful for determining eligibility for donation or receipt of kidney allografts.(12)
Special Instructions
Method Name
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) with Allelic Discrimination Analysis
Reporting Name
APOL1 Genotype, VSpecimen Type
VariesSpecimen Minimum Volume
Blood: 0.4 mL
Saliva/DNA: See Specimen Required
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Varies | Varies |
Reference Values
An interpretive report will be provided.
Interpretation
The interpretive report includes an overview of the findings as well as the associated clinical significance.
Clinical Reference
1. Genovese G, Friedman DJ, Ross MD, et al. Association of trypanolytic ApoL1 variants with kidney disease in African Americans. Science. 2010;329(5993):841-845. doi:10.1126/science.1193032
2. Parsa A, Kao WH, Xie D, et al. APOL1 risk variants, race, and progression of chronic kidney disease. N Engl J Med. 2013;369(23):2183-2196. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1310345
3. Kopp JB, Nelson GW, Sampath K, et al. APOL1 genetic variants in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and HIV-associated nephropathy. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2011;22(11):2129-2137. doi:10.1681/ASN.2011040388
4. Larsen CP, Beggs ML, Saeed M, Walker PD. Apolipoprotein L1 risk variants associate with systemic lupus erythematosus-associated collapsing glomerulopathy. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2013;24(5):722-725. doi:10.1681/ASN.2012121180
5. Friedman DJ, Kozlitina J, Genovese G, Jog P, Pollak MR. Population-based risk assessment of APOL1 on renal disease. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2011;22(11):2098-2105. doi:10.1681/ASN.2011050519
6. Duran CE, Ramírez A, Posada JG, et al. Prevalence of APOL1 risk variants in afro-descendant patients with chronic kidney disease in a Latin American Country. Int J Nephrol. 2019;2019:7076326. doi:10.1155/2019/7076326
7. Freedman BI, Burke W, Divers J, et al. Diagnosis, education, and care of patients with APOL1-associated nephropathy: A Delphi consensus and systematic review. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2021;32(7):1765-1778. doi:10.1681/ASN.2020101399
8. Vasquez-Rios G, De Cos M, Campbell KN. Novel therapies in APOL1-mediated kidney disease: from molecular pathways to therapeutic options. Kidney Int Rep. 2023;8(11):2226-2234. doi:10.1016/j.ekir.2023.08.028
9. McIntosh T, Walsh H, Baldwin K, et al. Evaluating ApoL1 genetic testing policy options for transplant centers: A Delphi Consensus Panel project with stakeholders. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2024;19(4):494-502. doi:10.2215/CJN.0000000000000397
10. Reeves-Daniel AM, DePalma JA, Bleyer AJ, et al. The APOL1 gene and allograft survival after kidney transplantation. Am J Transplant. 2011;11(5):1025-1030. doi:10.1111/j.1600-6143.2011.03513.x
11. Freedman BI, Julian BA, Pastan SO, et al. Apolipoprotein L1 gene variants in deceased organ donors are associated with renal allograft failure. Am J Transplant. 2015;15(6):1615-1622. doi:10.1111/ajt.13223
12. Doshi MD, Ortigosa-Goggins M, Garg AX, et al. APOL1 genotype and renal function of black living donors. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2018;29(4):1309-1316. doi:10.1681/ASN.2017060658
13. Freedman BI, Mena-Gutierrez AM, Ma L. Recipient APOL1 Genotype Effects on Outcomes After Kidney Transplantation. Am J Kidney Dis. 2022;79(3):450-452. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2021.11.001
14. Zhang Z, Sun Z, Fu J, et al. Recipient APOL1 risk alleles associate with death-censored renal allograft survival and rejection episodes. J Clin Invest. 2021;131(22):e146643. doi:10.1172/JCI146643
15. Freedman BI, Moxey-Mims MM, Alexander AA, et al. APOL1 long-term kidney transplantation outcomes network (APOLLO): Design and rationale. Kidney Int Rep. 2019;5(3):278-288. doi:10.1016/j.ekir.2019.11.022
16. Newell KA, Formica RN, Gill JS, et al. Integrating APOL1 gene variants into renal transplantation: Considerations arising from the American Society of Transplantation Expert Conference. Am J Transplant. 2017;17(4):901-911. doi:10.1111/ajt.14173
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
3 to 8 daysPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
81479
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
APOL1 | APOL1 Genotype, V | 104664-8 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
610559 | APOL1 Result | 104664-8 |
610561 | Interpretation | 69047-9 |
610562 | Additional Information | 48767-8 |
610563 | Method | 85069-3 |
610564 | Disclaimer | 62364-5 |
610565 | Reviewed by | 18771-6 |