Laboratory Test Reference Guide

Laboratory Information

Test Name

Oligoclonal bands (CSF)

External Price (excl. GST)

77.74

Specimen Collection

Adult Specimen

CSF and Gold or Red tube

Specimen Collection and Transport Protocols

Please always collect Gold (or Red) tube as well as CSF

Instructions for Referral to Waikato Lab

Aliquot instructions

200uL CSF and 200uL Serum

Aliquot Transport

Chilled

Test Information

Department

Immunology

Laboratory Turnaround Time

Batched approximately monthly. IgG index 1 day excluding weekends and public holidays.

Method

Isoelectric focusing

Unit of measurement

Negative or Positive.

Reference interval

Albumin CSF 100-300 mg/L
IgG CSF 8-64 mg/L
CSF IgG/ Alb Ratio 0.05 - 0.21
CSF IgG index 0.3 -0.7

Diagnostic Use Or Instructions

CSF IgG/Albumin ratio : this is an index of local IgG production, adjusted for leakage of IgG due to blood brain barrier dysfunction. The ratio is increased when local CNS IgG synthesis is occurring. CSF IgG index: this is an index of local IgG product.  Oligoclonal bands are present in over 90% of patients with multiple sclerosis.