Buffy Coat for Electron Microscopy (Blood)

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Haematology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

BCP

Test Code (Numeric Code)

1304

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Collect 2x 4ml EDTA (Lavendar cap) blood sample.

Transport

Transport at ambient temperature (8-24°C).

Registration

Registered as BCP

Laboratory

LabPlus Special Haematology

Sample Stability

Refrigerated 2°C to 8°C for up to 7 days. If sample arrives too late in the day it may be refrigerated overnight and then processed.

Associated Tests

• Buffy Coat for Electron Microscopy (Blood)
• Renal Electron Microscopy (Renal EM)
• Skin and Other (Duodenum, Liver ) Electron Microscopy (Skin and Other EM)
• Muscle Electron Microscopy (Muscle EM)
• Nerve Electron Microscopy (Nerve EM)

Synonyms

Blood for electron microscopy (or EM)
Buffy coat
Buffy coat for electron microscopy (or EM)
Buffy coat preparation
Cells for electron microscopy (or EM)

Turnaround Time

1 day

If sample arrives too late in the day it may be refrigerated overnight and then processed. The EM turnaround time is within 2 weeks, however times may be extended past 14 days due to the complexity of the case. Please note that all TAT's are working days i.e. Monday - Friday and exclude weekends and statutory holidays.

Specimen Type

• Whole Blood

Specimen Type

• Whole Blood

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred

• Please refer to Additional Information below
• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Acceptable

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

8

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

3

No of Samples Required

2

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Acceptable

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

3

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

3

Test Method

Manual process

Limitations / Interference

Possible manual processing errors.

Minimum sample: 3ml (but this is dependent on white cell count)

Acceptable: 2 x 4ml Heparin (green top)

Transmission Electron Microscopy is usually performed on request by a Pathologist once they have looked at the Histology.

Please note the following:

EM is performed routinely on all Native Renal Biopsies. but LabPlus Histopathologists will only report the EM as part of the full Histology workup.
EM on muscle biopsies is routinely available, but LabPlus Histopathologists will only report the EM as part of the full Histology workup.
If you wish EM to be performed on a stand-alone specimen i.e. no Histology involved, then you must contact and speak to a Pathologist in the first instance with regards to reporting. (see link below)
If a sample is sent for EM without getting prior approval from a Pathologist, then this will be treated as a 'Technical Work Only' specimen i.e. the labwork will be performed but it will not be reported.
For Non-Histology specimens e.g. platelets, viral particles please contact the relevant laboratory (e.g. Virology, Haematology)

Contact Information