Oligoclonal Banding, CSF/Blood (Sendout)

Useful for: Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis; especially useful in patients with equivocal clinical presentation or radiological findings.

Ordering Requirements: This test requires both CSF and a blood sample collected within 7 days of each other or testing will be cancelled by Mayo Clinic Laboratories. See Oligoclonal Banding, Blood (Sendout) [XOLIGG] for accompanying blood collection test.

Reference Values:

Interpretation:

When the oligoclonal band assay detects 2 or more unique IgG bands in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the result is positive.

CSF is used in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) by identifying increased intrathecal IgG synthesis qualitatively (oligoclonal bands). The presence of 2 or more unique CSF oligoclonal bands was reintroduced as one of the diagnostic criteria for MS in the 2017 revised McDonald criteria. These findings, however, are not specific for MS as CSF-specific IgG synthesis may also be found in patients with other neurologic diseases including infectious, inflammatory, cerebrovascular, and paraneoplastic disorders. Clinical correlation recommended.

Collect 0.5 mL CSF in a sterile vial.

Note: This test also requires serum collected within 7 days of CSF collection. See Oligoclonal Banding, Blood (Sendout) [XOLIGG].

Outside Laboratories:

• This test requires both CSF and serum samples obtained within 7 days of each other.
• CSF: Store and transport CSF sample refrigerated.
• Blood: See Oligoclonal Banding, Blood (Sendout) [XOLIGG].
• Indicate "CSF" or "serum" on the sample labels.
• Send serum and CSF samples in the same package to avoid delays. Transport with a cold pack.

Stability (CSF): Refrigerated (preferred): 14 days; Frozen: 14 days; Ambient: 14 days.

Refrigerate CSF in a sterile vial.

This test must be ordered with Oligoclonal Banding, Blood (Sendout) [XOLIGG]. If serum and CSF samples arrive together at the lab, an HC1 task is not needed. Forward both samples to the Sendouts bench. If a CSF sample is received without blood:

1. Review open HC1 Tasks and/or the patient's record in Sunquest Inquiry to determine if the XOLIGG sample was previously received in lab. If so, receive the RCOLIG order and deliver both samples to Sendouts.
2. If CSF is received without an existing XOLIGG order, create a task in HC1 to hold the CSF sample (refrigerated) while waiting for the blood. Do not deliver to Sendouts until both samples are received.
3. Contact the provider or client as needed if the other sample is not received in a timely manner.

Sendouts:

• Order Mayo Test: OLIG
• Interfaced: Yes [Interface: 601; Workskeet: MARF]
• Wait for both CSF (RCOLIG) and serum (XOLIGG) samples before batching the order across the interface.
• Write the sample type ("CSF" or "serum") on the sample labels.
• Rubberband the serum and CSF samples together.
• Batch the RCOLIG order outbound over the interface. Track both CIDs to USENT.
  • The XOLIGG code is for serum collection only, and will not batch separately.

Stability (CSF): Refrigerated (preferred): 14 days; Frozen: 14 days; Ambient: 14 days.