CSF Microscopy & Culture
Clinical Background:
Meningitis is defined as inflammation of the meninges. This process may be acute or chronic and infective or non-infective. Many infective agents have been shown to cause meningitis, including viru...
Meningitis is defined as inflammation of the meninges. This process may be acute or chronic and infective or non-infective. Many infective agents have been shown to cause meningitis, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Diagnosis of meningitis is best established by laboratory examination of the CSF. Blood cultures and pharyngeal swabs may be useful in addition to CSF examination in the diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis and serology may allow retrospective diagnosis on acute and convalescent sera.
Test Details
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Discipline:
Microbiology
Microbiology
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Specimen Container Adult:
CSF sample in sterile Universal container
CSF sample in sterile Universal container
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Specimen Container Paediatric:
CSF sample in sterile Universal container
CSF sample in sterile Universal container
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Minimum Volume Adult:
Seek advice from the laboratory as additional tests may make minimum volume required case specific. Samples must be collected in 3 sterile universals labelled 1, 2 and 3.
Seek advice from the laboratory as additional tests may make minimum volume required case specific. Samples must be collected in 3 sterile universals labelled 1, 2 and 3.
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Minimum Volume Paediatric:
Seek advice from the laboratory as additional tests may make minimum volume required case specific. Samples must be collected in 3 sterile universals labelled 1, 2 and 3.
Seek advice from the laboratory as additional tests may make minimum volume required case specific. Samples must be collected in 3 sterile universals labelled 1, 2 and 3.
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Special Requirement:
Samples must be sent to the laboratory ASAP after collection. If outside core hours then please contact the on-call Biomedical Scientist to inform of pending sample.
Samples must be sent to the laboratory ASAP after collection. If outside core hours then please contact the on-call Biomedical Scientist to inform of pending sample.
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Sample Stability:
Cells may lyse if sample not processed wihin 4 hrs
Cells may lyse if sample not processed wihin 4 hrs
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Transport Requirements:
Samples must be transported to microbiology as soon as reasonable practicable
Samples must be transported to microbiology as soon as reasonable practicable
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Add On Test:
Possible up to 3 days
Possible up to 3 days
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Quality Assurance:
UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme (UKNEQAS)
UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme (UKNEQAS)
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Interpretation:
Interpretative comments are added to reports where applicable
Interpretative comments are added to reports where applicable
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Reference Ranges:
N/A
N/A
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Factors Affecting Result:
If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
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Referenced Documents:
Standards of Microbiology Investigations (SMI B 27)
Standards of Microbiology Investigations (SMI B 27)