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HelpTest ID: MULT Zygosity Testing (Multiple Births), Varies
Useful For
Determining genetic risk for an individual whose twin or triplet is affected with a genetic disorder for which a specific genetic test is not available (or such testing is uninformative)
Assessment of risks prenatally when one fetus of multiples is known to be affected by a specific disorder
Organ or bone marrow transplantation compatibility testing
Familial or parental interest
Genetics Test Information
DNA from twins and their parents is used to determine if the twins are identical (monozygotic) or fraternal (dizygotic).
Reflex Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| CULFB | Fibroblast Culture for Genetic Test | Yes | No |
| CULAF | Amniotic Fluid Culture/Genetic Test | Yes | No |
| _STR1 | Comp Analysis using STR (Bill only) | No | No |
| _STR2 | Add'l comp analysis w/STR (Bill Only) | No | No |
Testing Algorithm
For prenatal specimens only: If amniotic fluid (nonconfluent cultured cells) is received, amniotic fluid culture/genetic test will be added at an additional charge. If chorionic villus specimen (nonconfluent cultured cells) is received, fibroblast culture for genetic test will be added at an additional charge.
Method Name
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/Microsatellite Markers
Reporting Name
Zygosity Testing (Multiple Births)Specimen Type
VariesShipping Instructions
Specimen preferred to arrive within 96 hours of collection.
Necessary Information
A blood specimen from both parents, in addition to a specimen from each multiple, is required.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: A previous bone marrow transplant from an allogenic donor will interfere with testing. For instructions for testing patients who have received a bone marrow transplant, call 800-533-1710.
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Specimen Type: Whole blood
Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA) or yellow top (ACD)
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Invert several times to mix blood.
2. Send specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated
Prenatal Specimens
Due to its complexity, consultation with the laboratory is required for all prenatal testing; call 800-533-1710 to speak to a genetic counselor.
Specimen Type: Amniotic fluid
Container/Tube: Amniotic fluid container
Specimen Volume: 20 mL
Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated (preferred)/Ambient
Additional information:
1. A separate culture charge will be assessed under CULAF / Culture for Genetic Testing, Amniotic Fluid. An additional 2 to 3 weeks is required to culture amniotic fluid before genetic testing can occur.
2. All prenatal specimens must be accompanied by a maternal blood specimen; order MATCC / Maternal Cell Contamination, Molecular Analysis, Varies on the maternal specimen.
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Specimen Type: Chorionic villi
Container/Tube: 15-mL tube containing 15 mL of transport media
Specimen Volume: 20 mg
Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated
Additional Information:
1. A separate culture charge will be assessed under CULFB / Fibroblast Culture for Biochemical or Molecular Testing. An additional 3 to 4 weeks is required to culture fibroblasts before genetic testing can occur.
2. All prenatal specimens must be accompanied by a maternal blood specimen; order MATCC / Maternal Cell Contamination, Molecular Analysis, Varies on the maternal specimen.
Acceptable:
Specimen Type: Confluent cultured amniocytes
Container/Tube: T-25 flask
Specimen Volume: 2 Flasks
Collection Instructions: Submit confluent cultured amniocytes from another laboratory.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated
Additional Information: All prenatal specimens must be accompanied by a maternal blood specimen; order MATCC / Maternal Cell Contamination, Molecular Analysis, Varies on the maternal specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Blood: 0.5 mL
Amniotic Fluid: 10 mL
Chorionic Villi: 5 mg
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varies | Varies | ||
Clinical Information
Approximately 30% of twins are monozygotic (identical), while 70% are dizygotic (nonidentical or fraternal). Monozygotic twins originate from a single egg and, by definition, have identical DNA markers throughout their genomes. Dizygotic twins, on the other hand, inherit their genetic complement independently from each parent and are no more likely to have genetic material in common than are any other full siblings.
Polymorphic DNA markers have been identified. DNA markers are regions of DNA that display normal variability in the type or the number of nucleotide bases at a given location. One class of repetitive DNA that exhibits marked variability is microsatellites. With the use of such markers, it is possible to distinguish one individual from another because of differences detected at these polymorphic loci. Utilizing polymerase chain reaction followed by capillary electrophoresis, the genotypes of a set of twins (triplets, etc) are derived from the analysis of multiple markers. This genotype is compared to those of their parents to determine if the children are mono- or dizygotic. Any differences detected between siblings' microsatellite markers indicate dizygosity.
Many disorders are known to occur on a genetic basis though the genes have not been identified for all of them. If one member of a set of twins is diagnosed with a genetic disorder, determination of zygosity, in addition to other testing, may provide additional information regarding risk assessment of unaffected individuals. In addition, zygosity can be useful when evaluating for twin-twin transfusion syndrome during pregnancy or as part of a pre-organ transplant workup for situations where one twin is donating an organ to another twin.
Reference Values
An interpretive report will be provided.
Interpretation
An interpretive report will be provided.
Clinical Reference
1. Appleman Z, Manor M, Magal N, Caspi B, Shohat M, Blickstein I: Prenatal diagnosis of twin zygosity by DNA "fingerprint" analysis. Prenat Diagn. 1994 Apr;14(4):307-309
2. Neitzel H, Digweed M, Nurnberg P, et al: Routine applications of DNA fingerprinting with the oligonucleotide probe (CAC)5/(GTG)5. Clin Genet. 1991 Feb;39(2):97-103
3. Allen RW, Polesky HF: Parentage and Relationship Testing. In: Leonard DGB, ed. Molecular Pathology in Clinical Practice. 2nd ed. Springer International Publishing; 2016:811-821
Day(s) Performed
Monday
Report Available
5 to 12 daysTest Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
81265-Comparative analysis using Short Tandem Repeat (STR) markers; patient and comparative specimen (eg, pre-transplant recipient and donor germline testing, post-transplant non-hematopoietic recipient germline [eg, buccal swab or other germline tissue sample] and donor testing, twin zygosity testing or maternal cell contamination of fetal cells
88233-Tissue culture, skin or solid tissue biopsy (if appropriate)
88235-Tissue culture for amniotic fluid (if appropriate)
88240-Cryopreservation (if appropriate)
81266-Each additional specimen (eg additional cord blood donor, additional fetal samples from different cultures, or additional zygosity in multiple birth pregnancies) (as needed)
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| MULT | Zygosity Testing (Multiple Births) | 55198-6 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 53322 | Result Summary | 50397-9 |
| 53323 | Result | 69548-6 |
| 53324 | Interpretation | 69965-2 |
| 53349 | Reason for Referral | 42349-1 |
| 53325 | Specimen | 31208-2 |
| 53326 | Source | 31208-2 |
| 53327 | Method | 85069-3 |
| 53328 | Released By | 18771-6 |
Forms
1. New York Clients-Informed consent is required. Document on the request form or electronic order that a copy is on file. The following documents are available in Special Instructions:
-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing (T576)
-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing-Spanish (T826)
2. Molecular Genetics: Congenital Inherited Diseases Patient Information (T521) in Special Instructions
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