Ideally, the CSF should be collected at a time when symptoms are most severe. Collect all tubes to ensure consistency in sampling volume, irrespective if some tests are not required. A paired blood sample for lactate, glucose, pyruvate and amino acids should also be collected. See respective tests for collection.
CSF Special Microtubes:Tube 1: For lactate,glucose and protein. Performed in Core Laboratory. Tube 2: For Amino Acids & Pyruvate ;Tube 3: For HVA, 5-HIAA & other metabolites;Tube 4: For Pteridines;Tube 5: For Storage pending future studies. Contact VCGS before collection. Performed by VGCS Pathology.
CORE LABORATORY NOTES:
CSF Special Microtubes:Do not interchange the tubes (some tubes contain stabilisers)
If cell count (M/C/S) requested, send 'additional tube' to Bacteriology (if no 'additional tube' received, send either tube 1 (& SHARE with Biochemistry) or tube 5 (& SHARE with VCGS for store) to Bacteriology first).
If cell count (Cytospin) requested, send 'additional tube' to haematology(if no 'additional tube' received, send either tube 1 (& SHARE with Biochemistry) or tube 5 (& SHARE with VCGS for store) if they have NOT been frozen in transit, to haematology first).
Tube 1: Send to Core Biochemistry for lactate,glucose and protein. If blood stained, centrifuge the tube. Biochemistry to test the supernatant (aliquot with a sterile pipette).
Tubes 2, 3, 4 & 5:
If blood stained: In hours, phone the VCGS Metabolic lab (82 6355) to collect immediately; Out of hours, centrifuge the specimen, use a sterile pipette to aliquot supernatant into a labelled cryo tube, and store in the Core Laboratory -70°C freezer in the 'VCGS Metabolic Lab' box ASAP.
If not blood stained: Store in the Core Laboratory -70°C freezer in the 'VCGS Metabolic Lab' box ASAP (both in hours and out of hours).