Test Directory

Cerebrospinal fluid Routine C & S at WGH

Containers - Adult

SterileUniversal20ml.jpg
Plain Sterile Universal Container
Volume Range

1-3ml

Additive per Container

NONE

Laboratory Site

RIE
51 Little France Crescent
Old Dalkeith Road
Edinburgh
EH16 4SA
Telephone (Bacteriology): 0131 242 6021 OOH Bleep 2900
WGH
Crewe Road South
Edinburgh
EH4 2XU
Telephone: 0131 537 1000

Transport arrangements

Transport as soon as is practicable.

Sample storage arrangements

If delay in transporting to lab, store at room temperature.

Special instructions for collection

Please send separate samples for cell count/microscopy (processed in Haematology at WGH) and culture and sensitivity (processed in microbiology at RIE). For investigation of CNS infection, please send four routine sterile containers with CSF, labelled in sequential order of collection. Send container 1 to to biochemistry (cell count, protein and glucose +/- xanthochromia), 2 to haematology for cell count, 3 to microbiology (RIE) for culture and 4 to virology (at RIE for PCR). Ensure a paired serum glucose is also sent to allow interpretation of the CSF glucose. 

How to request

Via Trak (C&S - CSF) or request form.

Availability

CSF Microscopy is available 24/7 at the Haematology laboratory at the Western General Hospital.

Anticipated turnaround

Microscopy within 30 minutes of receipt. Culture: up to 4 days. 

What happens if the result is positive or abnormal

Microscopy telephoned by BMS staff. Abnormal or positive results phoned by microbiologist.

General additional information

If the patient is immunocompromised, further tests can be discussed with the clinical Microbiologist. Do not send samples through pneumatic tube system, deliver precious samples by hand. Separate samples should be taken for each discipline required e.g. Haematology, biochemistry, microbiology, mycobacteria, pathology.

Culture and Gram stain performed at RIE Bacteriology. Please send a separate sample to Bacteriology at RIE.