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Test Code LAB268 Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Culture

Useful For

Diagnosing bacterial infections in spinal fluid.

Methodology

Conventional Biochemical Identification Methods

Performing Laboratory

Bozeman Health Laboratory Services

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Spinal fluid

Container/Tube: Screw-capped, sterile CSF tube

Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

  1. Label tube(s) with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and in order of collection 1, 2, 3, etc.
  2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Do not send by pneumatic tube.

Additional Information: This test will be performed on tube #2 or #3 of tubes submitted from spinal fluid collection.

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient

Specimen Stability

 

Specimen Type Temperature Time
CSF Ambient 1 hour

Reference Values

No growth

 

Critical value (automatic call-back): Positive gram stain and/or culture

Additional Information

  • Identification and susceptibilities are performed when appropriate, at an additional charge.
  • Extended incubation (up to 14 days) is available upon request.
  • A cytospin gram stain is included in this test.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87070-Culture
87015-Concentration (if appropriate)

87205-Gram stain
87077-Aerobic identification (if appropriate)
87186-Susceptibility (if appropriate)

87015-Broth enrichment