• Test Code:
    1980
  • Department:
  • Test Synonyms:
    Maternal Cell Contamination TestingMaternal Cell Rule-OutMCCMCRO
  • CPT Code(s):
    81265
Background:

The presence of maternal cell contamination (MCC) in amniotic fluid or chorionic villus samples poses a serious preanalytical risk for prenatal misdiagnosis.  This test is used to rule out the presence of maternal cell contamination within a fetal specimen.

Methodology:

Polymerase chain reaction:  (PCR)-based comparison of multiple microsatellite markers in maternal vs. fetal samples.

Specimen Requirements:

Both maternal and fetal specimens required:

  • Blood - Maternal:
    • 6 mL - EDTA (purple-top) or ACD (yellow-top) tube
    • If sending DNA: 100ng at a minimum of 100ng/µL (DNA must be extracted in a CLIA-certified laboratory or a laboratory meeting equivalent requirements as determined by the CAP and/or CMS)
OR
  • Saliva - Maternal:
    • Saliva Kits (OGR2 ORAgene -500) used according to manufacturer instructions. Please contact KDL Client Services for a Saliva Collection Kit for patients that cannot provide a blood sample
    • If sending DNA: 100ng at a minimum of 100ng/µL (DNA must be extracted in a CLIA-certified laboratory or a laboratory meeting equivalent requirements as determined by the CAP and/or CMS)
  • Amniotic Fluid - Fetal:
    • 10 mL direct amniotic fluid, OR
    • 2 T-25 flasks of cultured amniocytes (fully confluent)
    • If sending DNA: 100ng at a minimum of 100ng/µL (DNA must be extracted in a CLIA-certified laboratory or a laboratory meeting equivalent requirements as determined by the CAP and/or CMS)

OR

  • Chorionic Villus - Fetal:
    • 10 -20 mg direct chorionic villus (CVS), OR
    • 2 T-25 flasks of cultured CVS cells (fully confluent)
    • If sending DNA: 100ng at a minimum of 100ng/µL (DNA must be extracted in a CLIA-certified laboratory or a laboratory meeting equivalent requirements as determined by the CAP and/or CMS)

A REQUISITION FORM MUST ACCOMPANY ALL SAMPLES.  Please include detailed clinical information, including ethnicity, clinical history, and family history.

Test Performed (Days):

Weekly

Turn Around Time:

7-10 Days

Shipment Sensitivity Requirements:

  • Package and ship specimen to remain cold, but not frozen. 
  • Ship via overnight express, using the FedEx priority overnight label provided. 
  • Contact Client Services for shipping kits and instructions at (855) 535-1522.

References:

1. Schrijver, I. et al. Testing for Maternal Cell Contamination in Prenatal Samples.  J Mol Diagn. 2007 July; 9(3): 394–400.

Additional Info:

The lower level of sensitivity of the assay is approximately 5% maternal material in the fetal specimen.  

The Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health & Science University is a pioneer in the field of precision cancer medicine. The institute's director, Brian Druker, M.D., helped prove it was possible to shut down just the cells that enable cancer to grow. This breakthrough has made once-fatal forms of the disease manageable and transformed how cancer is treated. The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center between Sacramento and Seattle – an honor earned only by the nation's top cancer centers. It is headquarters for one of the National Cancer Institute's largest research collaboratives, SWOG, in addition to offering the latest treatments and technologies as well as hundreds of research studies and clinical trials.

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