Pathology Handbook

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Oligoclonal Bands CSF and Serum (Sendaway Test)

Alternative Names:

Oligoclonal IgG (CSF)
IgG/Albumin ratio CSF
Isoelectric Focussing CSF

Laboratory:

Clinical Biochemistry

Test Code:

COB for CSF and OLI for paired serum

Medicare rebatable:

Yes

Registration Instructions:

This is a CSF test. Serum sample must be collected at the same time for interpretation of results. In the instance where a serum is not received an alternate serum that has been collected within 24 hours of the CSF may be used. Serum alone is not suitable for this test. Discuss with Biochemistry if only serum (and no CSF) is received.

The SST tube (OLI) MUST be sent together with the CSF (COB) and never separately.

Specimen Types:

Cerebrospinal Fluid
Serum

Container Types:

CSF and SST

Adults Volume or Mass:

0.5 mL

Minimum/Paediatric Volume or Mass:

0.5 mL

Collection & Request Instructions:

Retrospective testing within 7 days

Serum sample must be collected at the same time as CSF for interpretation of results. In the instance where a serum is not received an alternate serum that has been collected within 24 hours of the CSF may be used.

Transport Instructions:

Send to lab immediately

Processing Instructions:

Store at 4'C

External Laboratory:

The Alfred Pathology Service (APS)

External Laboratory details...

External Transport Instructions:

Send at 4'C with Ice Pack

Additional Notes:

In several diseases of the central nervous system (multiple sclerosis and certain chronic infectious diseases such as sub–acute sclerosing pan–encephalitis and neurosyphilis) there are quantitative and qualitative alterations in immunoglobulins synthesised inside the blood–brain barrier. A relative increase in IgG in CSF, compared with serum, and the existence of oligoclonal bands (discrete bands representing IgG molecules of restricted heterogeneity) in CSF, which do not exist in serum at that time, provide strong evidence for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

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