Oligoclonal Banding, Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid
Also known as: CSF Protein
Use
Diagnose diseases of the central nervous system including meningitis, tumor, syphilis, and multiple sclerosis
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.
Methodology
Immunoassay (Isoelectric focusing (IEF) and immunoblotting)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 48668-8
Result Turnaround Time
4-6 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.1 mL
Container
plastic (CSF) tube
Collection Instructions
Spinal tap and venipuncture.
Patient Preparation
Spinal tap
Storage Instructions
Room temperature
Causes for Rejection
Plasma instead of serum specimen (since fibrinogen band may obscure the β−γ electrophoretic zone); serum and CSF not collected within eight hours of each other
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 14 days |
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 6 months |
Other tests from different labs that may be relevant