Order Code PLINK Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria, PI-Linked Antigen, Blood
Reporting Name
PNH, PI-Linked AG, BUseful For
Screening for and confirming the diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
Monitoring patients with PNH
Performing Laboratory

Specimen Type
Whole bloodSpecimen Required
Specimen must arrive within 3 days of collection.
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Yellow top (ACD solution A or B)
Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA)
Specimen Volume: 2.6 mL
Collection Instructions: Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
Specimen Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Whole blood | Ambient (preferred) | 72 hours |
Refrigerated | 72 hours |
Reference Values
An interpretive report will be provided.
RED BLOOD CELLS:
PNH RBC-Partial Antigen loss: 0.00-0.99%
PNH RBC-Complete Antigen loss: 0.00-0.01%
PNH Granulocytes: 0.00-0.01%
PNH Monocytes: 0.00-0.05%
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
CPT Code Information
88184-Flow cytometry, RBC x 1
88184-Flow cytometry, WBC x 1
88185-Flow cytometry, additional marker (each), RBC x 1
88185-Flow cytometry, additional marker (each), WBC x 6
88188-Flow Cytometry Interpretation, 9-15 Markers x 1
Method Description
Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of peripheral blood (white blood cells [WBC] and red blood cells [RBC]) is performed using the following antibodies:
RBC: CD235a, CD59
WBC: CD14, CD15, CD16, CD24, CD33, CD45, and FLAER
This assay evaluates the presence or absence of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked proteins using monoclonal antibodies directed against CD235, CD33, and CD15 to isolate different cell lineages. GPI-linked proteins that are checked within different lineages include CD14 for monocytes, CD's 16 and 24 for granulocytes, and CD59 for RBC. Fluorescent aerolysin, a fluorescently labeled inactive variant of the protein aerolysin, binds selectively to GPI anchors and is evaluated for presence or absence of expression on WBC. In addition, this test will detect a partial loss of CD59 on RBC (type II RBC).
Individuals without paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria have normal expression of all GPI-linked antigens on peripheral blood and leukocytes and erythrocytes.(Devalet B, Mullier F, Chatelain B, Dogne JM, Chatelain C. Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: a review. Eur J Haematol. 2015;95(3):190-198. doi:10.1111/ejh.12543)
Reject Due To
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Fully Clotted | Reject |
Method Name
Immunophenotyping
Additional Tests
Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
FCIMS | Flow Cytometry Interp, 9-15 Markers | No, (Bill Only) | Yes |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen: