Oligoclonal Bands in CSF and Serum

Casandra

Casandra Test Code AR87633Version 1 (DRAFT)

Performing Lab

Lab ARUP LaboratoriesLab Test ID 0081135CPT Code 83916

Oligoclonal Bands in CSF and Serum

Also known as: OLIGOB

Clinical Use

Order Test

Use

May be used in the assessment of multiple sclerosis to detect unique IgG oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in conjunction with a matched serum specimen. Oligoclonal bands are present in approximately 95% of patients with multiple sclerosis but may also be present in conditions such as viral or bacterial meningoencephalitis, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, neurosyphilis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, or meningeal carcinomatosis.

Special Instructions

Recommendation is for CSF and serum to be collected within 24 hours of each other. Specimens must be assayed together for interpretation. It is advised to exercise caution when interpreting results if specimens are not collected within the specified timeframe.

Limitations

This test reports only the number of oligoclonal bands. A patient is considered positive for CSF oligoclonal bands if there are two or more bands in the CSF immunoglobulin region that are not present in the serum. The result is considered positive for intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulin. Matched serum and CSF bands are indicative of a systemic inflammatory process. Approximately 5 percent of patients with clinically definitive multiple sclerosis will have a negative result, and false positives can occur in other inflammatory conditions.

Test Details

New York Approved