Protein,CSF

Sample type

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Uses

To detect increased permeability of the blood–brain barrier to plasma.

To detect increased intrathecal production of immunoglobulins.

Precautions

No specific precautions needed,However, the sample must be drawn into a sterile tube, avoiding any contamination.

Interfering factors

-Samples containing amakacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, tobramycin, neomycin, or sulfates falsely increase protein results.

-Excessive amounts of CSF proteins are seen in Froin syndrome, clotted specimens,xanthochromia, or the presence of free blood.

Pre-analytical errors

1-unlabeled specimens, clotted specimens

2- Collect the sample in a non-sterile tube.

The corrective actions

1-The sample should be rejected and another sample requested

2-The sample should be rejected and another sample requested

Post-analytical errors

1-Writing a wrong result or wrong name in the report

2-report were sent to incorrect patient

The corrective actions

1- If the report is not delivered to the patient and this error is discovered, the correct result or the correct name must be written, but if the report is delivered to the patient, you must communicate with the patient, apologise to him, and tell him that an error has occurred and replace it with the correct report.

2-Communicate with patient ,apologizing for the error, and providing him with the correct report.

Reference range

0-2 days: 40-120 mg/dL

2 days - 1 month: 20-80 mg/dL

> 1 month 15-40 mg/dL