Special Instructions

Since 80% of normal CSF protein is derived from serum, patients with serum monoclonal proteins may also have corresponding CSF bands. Serum oligoclonal bands may be present in some patients with Hodgkin's disease and in up to 5% of normal individuals, necessitating comparison of CSF and serum patterns. If CSF protein concentration is greater than 200 mg/dL, plasma protein leakage may obscure immunoglobulin production.

Limitations

Oligoclonal bands can be present even when CSF IgG levels are normal, and approximately 2-3% of clinically confirmed multiple sclerosis patients show little or no evidence of oligoclonal bands in the CSF. The presence of oligoclonal bands does not correlate with the activity of the demyelinating process in multiple sclerosis. Interpretation of results must consider the possibility of plasma protein leakage obscuring oligoclonal bands, particularly if CSF protein concentration exceeds 200 mg/dL. The reliability of the test can be affected by serum and CSF collection timing, with a rejection criterion for samples not collected within eight hours of each other.

Biomarkers

LOINC Codes

Result Turnaround Time

Related Documents

Stability Requirements