Specimen Requirements

Container Type: Sterile tube or container
Specimen Type: CSF collected via lumbar puncture
Preferred Volume: 2 mL if a bacterial culture is also ordered (collect additional 3 mL of fluid if AFB culture and an additional 3 mL if fungal culture also requested)
Emergency Minimum Volume: 0.25 mL for PCR testing only (additional fluid required for culture)
Patient Prep: Disinfect puncture site with antiseptic solution and alcohol
Collection Procedure: Sequentially collect CSF into sterile tubes. Tube number 2 should be submitted for PCR and bacterial culture.
Store and Transport Ambient (room temperature) or refrigerated
Required Patient Info: Source
Stability: Room Temp 1 day Refrigerated 1 week Frozen (-20 øC) Unacceptable Frozen (-70 øC) 1 week
Unacceptable Condition: CSF specimens should not be centrifuged before testing.
Limitations: This test is not intended for use with CSF collected from indwelling medical devices (e.g., CSF shunts). Caution should also be exercised during specimen collection and testing to prevent contamination leading to false positive results.