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Test Code BFCD Body Fluid Cell Count and Differential

Important Note

For CSF Cell Count and Differential, please order CSFCNT Lab212 in Epic.

Additional Codes

LAB210

Specimen Required

Container Type:

Specimen may be collected aseptically in the following:

  • Serous fluids, Bronchial Alveolar Lavage (BAL):
    • Blood collection tube with no additive
    • Large glass container/vacuum jar
    • Syringe (do not send needle)
    • Urine collection cup
  • Synovial fluid:
    • Lav EDTA blood collection tube
    • Dk Green Lithium Heparin blood collection tube
    • Sterile syringe
Optimal Collection Volume: 

5 mLs
Processing Instructions: 

1. Send to laboratory as soon as possible.

2. Testing may be delayed up to 24 hours if specimen  refrigerated.

Useful For

To aid in the diagnosis of joint disease, systemic disease, inflammation, malignancy, infection, and trauma.

  • Other body fluids, aside from the commonly analyzed urine and blood, include synovial, pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial fluids. These fluids may be present in increased volumes and/or may contain increased numbers of normal and/or abnormal cells in a variety of disease states.
    • neutrophils predominate in bacterial infections
    • lymphocytes predominate in viral infections
    • macrophages may be increased in inflammatory and infectious processes
    • eosinophils may be increased in parasitic or fungal infections

In abdominal trauma or infection, examination of peritoneal fluid is considered a vital part of the diagnosis to determine the extent of injury and whether exploratory surgery is indicated.

Profile Information

Test ID   Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
FLTY Body Fluid Type N Y
FLVOL Body Fluid Volume N Y
FCOL Body Fluid Color N Y
FAPR Body Fluid Appearance N Y
FRBC Body Fluid RBC Count N Y
FTNC Body Fluid Total Nucleated Cell Count N Y
PFPOL Body Fluid Polymorphonuclear Cell % N N
PFMON Body Fluid Mononuclear Cell % N N
FLYMPH Body Fluid Lymphocyte % N N
FEOS Body Fluid Eosinophil % N N
FCOM Fluid Comment N N

Method Name

Cell counts are performed using flow cytometry technology.  Occasionally, depending on volume and sample quality, cell counts are performed manually using a hemocytometer.

Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serous/Synovial/BAL Fluids Refrigerated 24 hrs
  Ambient  asap

Rejection Due To

Hemolysis Mild OK; Moderate OK; Gross OK
Lipemia Mild OK; Moderate OK; Gross OK
Icterus Mild OK; Moderate OK; Gross OK
Other

Specimens not from a sterile body cavity (e.g. wound drainage, abscess, pus, etc.)

Completely clotted specimen

Frozen specimen

Specimen >24 hours old

 

Specimen Minimum Volume

Collecting minimum volumes can result in a need for sample recollection, and/or a delay in results. Minimum volumes are subjective and cannot account for all aspects of specimen and testing needs. Refer to the Specimen Required section for optimal volumes for laboratory specimens. Contact the Bronson Laboratory if complex collection exceptions occur that require more information.

 

Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL body fluid
Neonate Volume: 0.5 mL body fluid

Performing Laboratory

Bronson Laboratory, Hematology- Kalamazoo, Battle Creek

Day(s) Performed

24/7

Reference Values

No established reference ranges exist for body fluid cell counts other than CSF.

LOINC Code Information

34557-9

CPT Code Information

89051

Sample Retention Time

7 Days

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