Sample type: CSF

Test name: MCS (Cerebrospinal fluid) a.k.a. LP/EVD/Shunt, CSF, Infection

Condition / Indication: Meningitis

Special precautions & notes: Do not request culture unless meningitis suspected. It is the requesting doctor’s responsibility to arrange for transport and provide notification to the laboratory of urgent specimens. Please request TB culture or virology if required.

Reference range: Not Applicable

Container: Universal (white top)

Ideal volume (mL): 3 mL

Referred outside NBT for analysis? No

Discipline: Microbiology

Turnaround time: 4 hours Microscopy
4 days Culture & sensitivities

Further information:
If sub-arachnoid haemorrhage is suspected, spectrophotometric analysis for xanthochromia is available from Clinical Chemistry. The presence of xanthochromia cannot be determined reliably by macroscopic appearance so is not reported in microbiology.