Home
HelpTest ID NBLD0754 Karius Focus, Direct Ship, Bronchoalveolar Lavage
Useful For
Detection of microbial cell-free DNA from over 500 bacteria, fungi, parasites, and DNA viruses known to cause lung infections in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
Specimen Type
Bronchoalveolar LavageOrdering Guidance
Order this test when shipping specimens directly to Karius.
Shipping Instructions
1. Place the specimen in the biohazard bag with an absorbent pad.
2. Wrap the ambient gel pack around the specimen bag.
3. Place the wrapped specimen bag in the foil bubble mailer and then in the test kit cardboard box.
4. Include the batch sheet from MayoACCESS or MayoLINK in the test kit cardboard box.
5. Ship ambient to Karius Labs.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Karius KDBAL Kit (T1015)
Container/Tube: Streck CP tube
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimen according to your institutional guidelines.
2. Within 12 hours of specimen collection, transfer at least 1 mL of BALF specimen to the Streck CP tube using disposable sterile pipette, taking care to avoid spilling storage reagent in Streck CP tube.
3. Screw the cap tightly and gently invert the tube 8 to 10 times.
4. Do not freeze the Streck CP tube.
5. See Shipping Instructions for how to package and ship the specimen to Karius Labs.
Additional Information:
1. Specimen cannot be shared with other tests.
2. Specimen trap collection containers (with suction catheters attached) will be rejected due to the high risk of leakage and contamination upon opening. Avoid use of these for BALF specimens.
Alternate Collection Instructions for when storage is needed before shipment
1. Collect BALF specimen according to your institutional guidelines.
2. Freeze BALF in the sterile collection tube. Do not use the Streck CP tube, as it must not be frozen.
3. When ready to prepare for shipment, thaw the frozen BALF specimen.
4. Label the Streck CP tube with the patient's first and last name, a unique patient identifier (eg, date of birth or medical record number), the collection date and time, and the thawing date.
5. Use a disposable pipette to carefully transfer 1 mL of BALF into the labeled Streck CP tube containing storage reagent. Avoid spilling the reagent.
6. Securely tighten the cap and gently invert the tube 8 to 10 times to mix.
7. Do not freeze the Streck CP tube.
8. See Shipping Instructions for how to package and ship the specimen to Karius Labs.
Specimen Minimum Volume
See Specimen Required
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bronchoalveolar Lavage | Ambient | 7 days |
Reject Due To
All specimens will be evaluated by the processing and performing laboratory for test suitability.Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Report Available
3 to 5 daysMethod Name
Metagenomic Sequencing
Reporting Name
Karius Focus Direct, BALPerforming Laboratory
KARIUS LABORATORY DIRECT SHIPSecondary ID
623288CPT Code Information
87999
Reference Values
An interpretive report will be provided.
Test Classification
The Karius Focus: BAL test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Karius. The Karius laboratory is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA '88) and is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) to perform high-complexity laboratory testing. This test has not been reviewed or cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration.Testing Algorithm
For information regarding when to order the Karius Spectrum test or diagnostic algorithms, see Considerations for the Implementation of the Karius Spectrum and Karius Focus BAL Tests.