Analysis of CSF for bacterial infection:
Diagnosis of meningitis / encephalitis
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Sterile white top universal pot
Please send first and third specimens to Microbiology (Clearly label each container)
Specimens where possible should be taken prior to commencement of antibiotic therapy, and should reach microbiology within 2 hours. Do not refrigerate specimen until after microscopy and bacterial culture have been performed.
If you are taking an urgent CSF out of hours – please call a porter for immediate transport to the old pathology building and contact the On Call Microbiology Biomedical Scientist through the hospital switchboard for urgent microscopy.
Samples taken after 4am will be processed at 8am if labelled “urgent”, and need not be telephoned.
Locally at RD&E
Microscopy 24hrs
Culture 48hrs (Negative result)
Please phone the laboratory if urgent microscopy results are required (except between 4am and 8am).
CSF Analysis – Lab Tests Online
Meningitis and Encephalitis – Lab Tests Online
Specimen Labelling Procedure
9018
