Ordering Guidance

Patients who have had a previous bone marrow transplant from an allogenic donor should not have testing performed on blood, bone marrow, or saliva because any results generated will reflect the genome of the donor rather than the recipient. Testing on patients who have an active hematologic malignancy or hematologic disorder with clonal proliferation may identify both somatic mutations and germline variants, which may result in test failure or necessitate follow-up testing to determine whether the detected variant is germline or somatic. For these patients, testing a skin biopsy or cultured fibroblasts is recommended. For instructions for testing patients who have received a bone marrow transplant or have an active hematologic disorder, call 800-533-1710. For more information see Cautions.

Customization of this panel and single gene analysis for any gene present on this panel are available. For more information see CGPH / Custom Gene Panel, Hereditary, Next-Generation Sequencing, Varies. To modify this panel via CGPH, use the Inborn Errors of Immunity/Bone Marrow Failure/Telomeropathy/Pulmonary Fibrosis/Very Early Onset IBD/Pancreatitis disease state for step 1 on the Custom Gene Ordering Tool.

Targeted testing for familial variants (also called site-specific or known variants testing) is available for the genes on this panel. See FMTT / Familial Variant, Targeted Testing, Varies. To obtain more information about this testing option, call 800-533-1710.

Additional Testing Requirements

For cord blood specimens: Maternal cell contamination (MCC) studies are available. Order MATCC / Maternal Cell Contamination, Molecular Analysis, Varies on both the cord blood and maternal specimens under separate order numbers. Cord blood testing will proceed without MCC studies, but results may be compromised if MCC is present.

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) or yellow top (ACD)

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 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: Skin biopsy

Supplies: Fibroblast Biopsy Transport Media (T115)

Container/Tube: Sterile container with any standard cell culture media (eg, minimal essential media, RPMI 1640). The solution should be supplemented with 1% penicillin and streptomycin.

Specimen Volume: 4-mm Punch

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) <24 hours/Refrigerated <24 hours

Additional Information:

1. Specimens are preferred to be received within 24 hours of collection. Culture and extraction will be attempted for specimens received after 24 hours and will be evaluated to determine if testing may proceed.

2. A separate culture charge will be assessed under CULFB / Fibroblast Culture for Biochemical or Molecular Testing. An additional 3 to 4 weeks are required to culture fibroblasts before genetic testing can occur.

Specimen Type: Cultured fibroblasts

Source: Skin

Container/Tube: T-25 flask

Specimen Volume: 2 Flasks

Collection Instructions: Submit confluent cultured fibroblast cells from a skin biopsy. Cultured cells from a prenatal specimen will not be accepted.

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) <24 hours/Refrigerated <24 hours

Additional Information:

1. Specimens are preferred to be received within 24 hours of collection. Culture and extraction will be attempted for specimens received after 24 hours and will be evaluated to determine if testing may proceed.

2. A separate culture charge will be assessed under CULFB / Fibroblast Culture for Biochemical or Molecular Testing. An additional 3 to 4 weeks are required to culture fibroblasts before genetic testing can occur.

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.

Specimen Type: Cord blood

Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA) or yellow top (ACD)

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: Blood spot

Supplies: Card-Blood Spot Collection (Filter Paper) (T493)

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Collection card (Whatman Protein Saver 903 Paper)

Acceptable: PerkinElmer 226 filter paper or blood spot collection card

Specimen Volume: 2 to 5 Blood spots

Collection Instructions:

1. An alternative blood collection option for a patient older than 1 year is a fingerstick. For detailed instructions, see How to Collect a Dried Blood Spot Sample.

2. Let blood dry on the filter paper at ambient temperature in a horizontal position for a minimum of 3 hours.

3. Do not expose specimen to heat or direct sunlight.

4. Do not stack wet specimens.

5. Keep specimen dry

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated

Additional Information:

1. Blood spot specimens are acceptable but not recommended. Multiple extractions will be required to obtain sufficient yield for supplemental analysis, and there is significant risk for test failure due to insufficient DNA.

2. Due to lower concentration of DNA yielded from blood spot, 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.

3. For collection instructions, see Blood Spot Collection Instructions

4. For collection instructions in Spanish, see Blood Spot Collection Card-Spanish Instructions (T777)

5. For collection instructions in Chinese, see Blood Spot Collection Card-Chinese Instructions (T800)

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: 2 swabs, use 2 kits for collection

Collection Instructions: Collect and send specimen per kit instructions.

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred) 30 days/Refrigerated 30 days

Additional Information: Saliva is 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.