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Test Code LAB1084 Beta-2 Transferrin: Detection of Spinal Fluid in Other Body Fluid

Additional Codes

Mayo Test ID
BETA2

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Useful For

Detection of spinal fluid in body fluids, such as ear or nasal fluid

Method Name

Electrophoresis/Immunofixation

Reporting Name

Beta-2 Transferrin, BF

Specimen Type

Body Fluid


Additional Testing Requirements


If specimens are collected from multiple sites on the body (ie, left and right), each specimen must be sent under a separate order.



Necessary Information


Indicate specimen source. Include whether the source is from the right or left side of the body, if applicable.



Specimen Required


Specimen Type: Body fluid

Sources: Nasal, otic, wound, etc

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Sterile container, syringe, test tube, or microtube

Acceptable: Plain cotton swab or gauze

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. If submitting a syringe, remove needle. Add cap to end of syringe.

2. If direct collection is not feasible, specimen may be collected using a plain cotton swab or gauze.

3. If gauze is used to collect specimen, circle area on the gauze where specimen was collected.

4. Place cotton swab or gauze in as small a container as possible (eg, plain test tube or collection container).

5. Do not collect specimen with a culture swab.

6. Do not add any liquid to the swab or gauze.

Additional Information:

1. Specimens collected from above the shoulders risk salivary contamination, which can degrade the beta-2 transferrin protein. These specimens should be frozen immediately following collection and kept frozen until testing is performed.

2. Although results may be obtainable on smaller specimens (perhaps as little as 0.05 mL, depending on the protein concentrations and percentage of spinal fluid in the specimen), reliable results are best obtained with an adequate specimen volume.

3. Specimens collected with additives such as microbiology media (eg, Stuart or Amies liquid medium) or TransFix/EDTA (used for analyses in flow cytometry) yield uninterpretable results and will be rejected.


Specimen Minimum Volume

See Specimen Required

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Body Fluid Frozen (preferred)
  Ambient 
  Refrigerated 

Reference Values

Negative, no beta-2 transferrin (spinal fluid) detected

Interpretation

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) variant of transferrin is identified by its unique electrophoretic migration. If beta-1 and beta-2 transferrin are detected in drainage fluids, the specimen is presumed to be contaminated with CSF.

 

The presence of beta-2 transferrin band is detectable with as little as 2.5% spinal fluid contamination of body fluid.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

1 to 3 days

Specimen Retention Time

14 days

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

86335

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
BETA2 Beta-2 Transferrin, BF 13876-8

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
80351 Beta-2 Transferrin, BF 13876-8