Oligoclonal Bands (IgG), CSF

674

1 mL CSF collected in a sterile CSF collection tube #4 and 1 mL serum

0.5 mL

Both CSF & serum are required specimens. It is preferred that the collection date and time be the same for both; however, it is acceptable for them to be drawn within 48 hours of each other. If no serum is supplied, the client will be contacted to confirm the order.

CSF collection tube #4 is preferred. Submitting 4th lumbar puncture collection tube minimizes blood contamination.

Transport temperature: Refrigerate CSF specimens at 2-8°C in sterile, plastic CSF vial(s) and send refrigerated (cold packs) to the laboratory OR freeze CSF specimens at -20°C and send frozen samples to the laboratory on dry ice.

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Room temperature: 8 hours
Refrigerated: 20 days
Frozen: 30 days

Received room temperature

Set up: Sun-Fri; Report available: 4-6 days

Absent

Oligoclonal bands are present in the CSF of more than 85% of patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS). To distinguish between oligoclonal bands in the CSF due to a peripheral gammopathy and oligoclonal bands due to local production in the CNS, serum and CSF should be tested simultaneously. Oligoclonal bands can however be observed in a variety of other diseases, e.g., subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, inflammatory polyneuropathy, CNS lupus, and brain tumors and infarctions.