Flow Cytometry Testing
The Flow Cytometry Laboratory at Virant Diagnostics is committed to offering patient-focused, informative, and impactful immune testing. We take pride in patient care with a focus on rapid turnaround time, expert interpretation reporting, and customizable testing solutions.
About Our Flow Cytometry Laboratory
The Virant Diagnostics Flow Cytometry Lab offers standard immunophenotyping (SIP) and basophil activation testing (BAT). SIP testing allows in-depth immune system analysis; BAT, accounting for all characteristics of IgE and allergens, is an extremely useful diagnostic modality in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of various allergic conditions. Click the tabs below to learn more.
With SIP, we can identify and characterize variations of over- and/or under-expression of cells and cell-subsets of the immune system. Screening for immune disorders in patients with recurrent or unusual infections and monitoring immunodeficiencies are are just some of the applications of SIP.
Our panel allows lymphocyte monitoring, evaluation of B cell maturation, and examination of memory T cells (CD4 and CD8) and dendritic cells. See our test menu below for more details.
The basophil is one of the white blood cells of the immune system that plays a key role in the mechanism of allergic inflammation. In vitro basophil activation from a blood sample can be more specific than traditional sensitization testing, and can therefore replace in vivo procedures (ie, intradermal testing; allergen challenge testing), of which the latter can result in allergic reactions of unpredictable severity. The former evaluates the allergic condition of the patients through basophil reactivity to allergens of varying titers.
With patient phenotype, BAT can support the diagnosis of allergies (ie, food; drug; venom; etc) and chronic urticaria. BAT is also useful in the prediction and monitoring of clinical responses to immunomodulatory treatments (ie, allergen-specific immunotherapy and biologicals).
Our laboratory offers BAT for all common food allergies, environmental allergens, and venom. For more details, see our test menu below.
Create an order and view results now.
- Create an order from our Client Portal or via Requisition Form.
- Access secure, encrypted results from our Client Portal
Notes for Providers:
- A complete blood count (CBC) with differential is required and will be ordered from IAA Laboratories alongside the SIP and BAT tests.
- SIP and BAT tests cannot be ordered together; neither test can be ordered if a SIP or BAT test was performed in the past 6 months.
- Courier services can be arranged for clinics in the DC Metropolitan Area. Please contact us for more information.
Our Flow Cytometry Test Menu
Standard Immunophenotyping (SIP) Panel
Included in the SIP Panel:
- Lymphocyte monitoring for:
- T cell subsets
- B & NK cells
- α/β & γ/δ T cells
- NKT cells & activation
- T cell memory
- B cell Maturation Evaluation: for B cell development in peripheral blood
- Memory CD8 and CD4 Cells:
- CD45RO
- CD45RA
- Dendritic Cell subtypes:
- CD11c
- BDCA2
Collection:
- Two (2) lavender-top EDTA tubes are needed
- Collect as least 3mL of whole blood for each tube
Shipment:
- Ship specimens overnight between 4-30ºC / 39-86ºF)
- If above 30ºC (86ºF), then the package must include an ice pack
Basophil & Lymphocyte Immunophenotyping Menu
Please select up to five (5) allergens.
- Almond
- Cashew nut
- Hazelnut
- Peanut
- Pecan
- Sesame seed
- Walnut
- Wheat
- Soybean
- Egg white
- Milk
- Beef
- Blue crab
- Brown shrimp
- Atlantic salmon
- Yellowfin tuna
- American lobster
- Shellfish mix (clam, crab, oyster, scallop, shrimp)
- Fish mix (cod, flounder, halibut, mackerel, tuna)
Venom Panel counts as five (5) allergens:
- Yellow jacket
- Wasp
- Yellow hornet
- White faced hornet
- Honeybee
Collection:
Requirements for testing only one (1) selected allergen:
- 2 tubes are required: 1 EDTA (lavender-top) & 1 Heparin (green-top)
- Collect at least 3mL of whole blood per tube
Requirements for testing two (2) selected allergens:
- 2 tubes are required: 1 EDTA (lavender-top) & 1 Heparin (green-top)
- Collect at least 5mL of whole blood per tube
For each additional allergen after the 2nd selection:
- for each allergen, 2 tubes are required: 1 EDTA (lavender-top) & 1 Heparin (green-top)
- Collect at least 3mL of whole blood per tube
Shipment:
- Ship specimens overnight between 4-30ºC / 39-86ºF)
- If above 30ºC (86ºF), then the package must include an ice pack
For more information on Allergies and our Allergy Testing Solutions:
Allergy testing frequently asked question (FAQs) for patients – Click the link for more information on basophil activation testing & ImmunoCAP allergy testing.