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Ordering Code	620
Test Name	CSF Culture & Gram Stain
Alias	Spinal Fluid Culture & Smear Cerebrospinal Fluid Culture and Gram Stain
Preferred Specimen	Cerebrospinal Fluid
Preferred Container	Sterile CSF Collection Kit Tube
Other Specimen/Container	Ventricular Fluid in Sterile Container
Optimum Volume	3 mL
Collection Instructions	Collect CSF using usual sterile precautions for lumbar puncture. CSF collection tubes should be numbered in the sequence of collection (1,2,3 etc.). The 3rd or 4th tube collected during lumbar puncture is most suitable for culture, as it will contain the least amount of skin contaminants from the puncture.
Handling Instructions	Send to the microbiology laboratory immediately. If transport to laboratory is delayed, hold specimen at 33 - 37 Deg C.
Transport Requirements	Oahu: Ambient Airline: Ambient
Specimen Stability	Ambient: 1 Day CSF may be kept longer at 33 - 37 Deg C.
Rejection Criteria	Frozen, Refrigerated, Specimen older than stability limits Note: specimens with rejection concerns will be processed upon receipt and the ordering physician consulted.
Avail. Stat	YES
Analytic Time	Up to 5 Days Smear results are available STAT. Preliminary culture results at 24 and 48 hours. Additional time is required for identification &/or susceptibility if culture is positive.
Methodology	Visual examination of bacterial growth on/in non-selective media. Microscopic examination of sediment smear for bacteria and differentiation using a gram stain.

Reference range(s)

The reference ranges listed below are valid on this date of November 21, 2024.