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Spinal Fluid Culture
MessageNOTE: All CSF specimens are considered STAT.
This order is for routine culture of CSF or Shunt Fluid.
For AFB in CSF refer to C AFB
For Fungus in CSF refer to C F
For Acanthamoeba in CSF refer to C ACANTH
This order is for routine culture of CSF or Shunt Fluid.
For AFB in CSF refer to C AFB
For Fungus in CSF refer to C F
For Acanthamoeba in CSF refer to C ACANTH
Test Code
C SF
Alias/See Also
Lumbar spinal culture
Spinal shunt (ventricular) culture
Spinal shunt (ventricular) culture
Preferred Specimen
Specify fluid and collection:
1-5 ml CSF in sterile, screw-capped container
NOTE: As for all fluids, additional material should be submitted if mycobacterial (AFB) and/or fungal cultures are required.
For multiple tests, add approximately 1-2 ml per test desired
- Spinal fluid, lumbar
- Shunt fluid, ventricular
1-5 ml CSF in sterile, screw-capped container
NOTE: As for all fluids, additional material should be submitted if mycobacterial (AFB) and/or fungal cultures are required.
For multiple tests, add approximately 1-2 ml per test desired
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Transport Container
Sterile, screw-capped container
Transport Temperature
Ambient / Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 2 hours. DO NOT refrigerate prior to routine bacterial culture.
Room temperature: 24 hours
Room temperature: 24 hours
Report Available
The Gram stain is reported STAT
A preliminary culture report will be available <24 hours.
A final negative culture report will be generated <4 days.
All positive cultures will be reported immediately.
A preliminary culture report will be available <24 hours.
A final negative culture report will be generated <4 days.
All positive cultures will be reported immediately.
Reference Range
No growth
Clinical Significance
Cerebrospinal fluid cultures are of importance in the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis, an inflammation of the meninges. Causative bacteria vary depending on the patient's age, vaccination status, and recent trauma or instrumentation
Age Group:
0-1 mo (neonates): GBS (Strep. agalactiae), Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes
1 mo - 2 yr: GBS, E.coli, L. monocytogenes, Strep. pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae
2 -50 yr: Strep. pneumoniae, N. meningitdis
>50 yr: S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, L. monocytogenes
Basilar skull fracture or cochlear implant: S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae
Penetrating trauma or neurosurgery: Staphylococcus aureus
Shunt: S. aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Cutibacterium acne
Age Group:
0-1 mo (neonates): GBS (Strep. agalactiae), Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes
1 mo - 2 yr: GBS, E.coli, L. monocytogenes, Strep. pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae
2 -50 yr: Strep. pneumoniae, N. meningitdis
>50 yr: S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, L. monocytogenes
Basilar skull fracture or cochlear implant: S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae
Penetrating trauma or neurosurgery: Staphylococcus aureus
Shunt: S. aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Cutibacterium acne
