Culture, CSF
CSF Culture, Bacterial Meningitis
Test Codes
EPIC: LAB5482
Department
Microbiology
Instructions
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is not routinely cultured for anaerobic organisms. Prior approval from the Microbiology Laboratory is required.
- CSF obtained from a shunt will be cultured for anaerobic organisms. If the specimen is from a shunt, this must be clearly noted on the test request.
- The proper collection of this specimen cannot be over-emphasized. Specimens which are improperly collected may yield misleading results. See Specimen Collection Manual, CSF.
Specimen Collection Criteria
Collect: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a sterile collection container, under aseptic conditions.
Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation
Maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) and arrange for STAT transportation to the Laboratory. Courier Services must be contacted for a STAT pickup at 1-800-551-0488.
Preparation for Courier Transport
Transport: STAT CSF in a sterile collection container, at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).
Rejection Criteria
- Unlabeled or improperly labeled specimens.
- Specimens in non-sterile containers.
Inpatient Specimen Preparation
Transport specimen STAT to the Laboratory.
Storage
Specimen Stability for Testing:
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Less than 24 hours*
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable
*The likelihood of recovery of microbial pathogens is significantly decreased after this time.
Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Laboratory
Gram Stain
Dearborn Microbiology Laboratory
Farmington Hills Microbiology Laboratory
Grosse Pointe Microbiology Laboratory
Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory
Taylor Laboratory
Trenton Laboratory
Troy Microbiology Laboratory
Wayne Laboratory
Culture
Dearborn Microbiology Laboratory
Taylor, Trenton and Wayne sent to Dearborn Microbiology Laboratory for testing.
Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory
Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, and Troy sent to Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory for testing.
Performed
Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Gram Stain results available within 1 hour of receipt in the Laboratory.
Preliminary results available within 24 hours.
Reference Range
No organisms recovered.
Test Methodology
Gram Stain and Culture.
Interpretation
The recovery of microorganisms from an appropriate, properly collected specimen may be indicative of an infectious disease process.
Clinical Utility
This test is used to recover and identify microorganisms that may be involved in meningitis.
Reference
Church, D.L., 2016, Cerebrospinal Fluid Cultures, in Leber, A.L., Editor-in-Chief, Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, 4th edition, section 3.7.1.
CPT Codes
87070 (Aerobic Culture), 87205 (Gram Stain).
LOINC: 606-4
Contacts
Main Laboratory – TYL
313-295-5360
Name: Main Laboratory – TYL
Location:
Phone: 313-295-5360
Main Laboratory –WYN
734-467-4274
Name: Main Laboratory –WYN
Location:
Phone: 734-467-4274
Main Laboratory – TRN
734-671-3869
Name: Main Laboratory – TRN
Location:
Phone: 734-671-3869
Microbiology Laboratory – DBN
313-593-7921
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – DBN
Location:
Phone: 313-593-7921
Microbiology Laboratory – RO
248-551-8090
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – RO
Location:
Phone: 248-551-8090
Microbiology Laboratory – TR
248-964-6127
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – TR
Location:
Phone: 248-964-6127
Microbiology Laboratory – GP
313-473-1802
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – GP
Location:
Phone: 313-473-1802
Microbiology Laboratory – FH
947-521-7488
Name: Microbiology Laboratory – FH
Location:
Phone: 947-521-7488
Last Updated
6/30/2021
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