Effective May 8, 2012:

The new Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Dual Target PCR assay will go live. 

See technical bulletin:

CT_NG_Dual_Target_ PCR_Assay_05_2012 for test details.

Due to a nationwide reagent shortage, the HCV Riba assay is unavailable until further notice.

Note interpretation changes for the HCV Ab assay that previously required an HCV Riba.

Quest recommends Hepatitis C Viral RNA, Quantitative Real-Time PCR  (test code 35645) as an alternative assay for the HCV Riba.

See Quest website for specimen requirements.

The QFT Collection instructions have been updated.

Refer to the QFT Blood Collection Instruction_03_2012

found in the Technical Notes section.

Effective 2/15/2012: Rheumatoid factor specimens are temporatily being sent to Quest Diagnostics, Chantilly, Va.

The appropriate reference range is included in the report.

The serum folate assay is standardized to the

World Health Organization (WHO) International

Standard 03/178. 

Note new reference range is >=6.0 ng/mL.

Based on comparison studies between the current

and restandardized folate assays, patient samples

will shift upward by approximately 30 to 45%.

The WHO Technical Consultation* on folate and

vitamin B12 deficiencies has determined that

deficient folate concentrations are considered  to

be less than 4 ng/mL.

* Food and Nutrition Bulletin.  The United Nations

University, 2008:29(2):S238 to 246.

Effective 12/30/2011- The reference range for HBsAb Quantitative results has changed.

Results >= 12.0 mIU/mL are considered reactive

Indeterminate results are 8.0 to 11.9 mIU/mL

<8.0 mIU/mL are considered Non reactive

EDTA specimens are no longer acceptable for this test.

Technical bulletin to follow.

There are 2 new technical bulletins posted 11_08_2011:

BRAF Melanoma  Assay 

KRAS and BRAF Additional Information Requirement

Effective 11/7/2011:  ENA testing will be referred to Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, Chantilly Va.

Specimens are stable 7 days refrigerated.

The method has changed to Immunoassay.