Methodology
Plasma-Based Next Generation Sequencing
Synonyms
Karius Digital Culture
Specimen Type
Plasma
Performing Lab
Karius
Epic ID
LAB07948
Lab Test Days
Monday-Saturday
Standard TAT
2 Days
Collection Information
Specimen Required
3-4 mL Blood
Container Type
White Plasma Preparation Tube (PPT)
Collection Instructions
Infectious Disease approval is required. White Plasma Preparation Tube (PPT) is located in send out cupboard in lab. Call lab for tube. 3-4 mL Blood collected in an EDTA (K2) (lavender-top) tube is also acceptable, if PPT is not available.
Processing Information - Lab Use Only
Specimen Stability
Room Temp: 4 Days; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: >4 Days
Test Volume Required
2 mL Plasma
Minimum Test Volume
1.2 mL Plasma (0.7 mL minimum for Infants/no repeat testing)
Processing Instructions
Infectious Disease approval is required. Separate plasma within 6 hours of collection. Spin PPT or K2-EDTA blood tube for 10 minutes at room temp. Keep plasma in PPT. For K2-EDTA blood tube, use a sterile transfer pipette to transfer plasma to a sterile tube labeled with two identifiers. A Sterile polypropylene tube is required. Do not disturb the buffy coat: leave a small amount of plasma behind. If cells are visible in the plasma or if the buffy coat was disrupted, spin the plasma again and transfer into a new sterile tube. Create a Karius requisition. Submit completed Karius requisition and submit with specimen room temp or frozen. Ok to ship Friday for Saturday delivery. If specimen is not able to be shipped within 2-3 days of collection, freeze spun down PPT tube or EDTA (lavender-top) plasma in a sterile screw-capped vial and ship frozen.
Comments
Infectious Disease approval is required.
CPT Codes
87507, 87633, 87798 (x13)
Revised
9/17/25
Initials
SA