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HelpTEST ID OLIG Oligoclonal Banding, Serum and Spinal Fluid
Reporting Name
Oligoclonal BandingSpecimen Type
CSFSerum
Specimen Required
Both serum and spinal fluid are required. Spinal fluid must be obtained within 7 days of serum collection.
Specimen Type: Serum
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
2. Label specimen as serum.
Specimen Type: Spinal fluid
Container/Tube: Sterile vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Label specimen as spinal fluid.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Serum, Spinal fluid: 0.4 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| CSF | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
| Ambient | 14 days | |
| Frozen | 14 days | |
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
| Ambient | 14 days | |
| Frozen | 14 days |
Method Name
Isoelectric Focusing (IEF) with IgG Immunoblot Detection
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Reference Values
CSF Oligoclonal Bands Interpretation: <2 bands
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
4 to 7 daysSpecimen Retention Time
14 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
83916 x 2
Useful For
Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis; especially useful in patients with equivocal clinical presentation and radiological findings
Profile Information
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| OLIGS | Serum Bands | No | Yes |
| OLIGC | CSF Bands | No | Yes |
Clinical Information
The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is dependent on clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings. The detection of increased intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis is the basis for current diagnostic laboratory tests for MS. These tests include the measurement of kappa free light chains in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and CSF oligoclonal band (OCB) detection. Abnormal CSF OCB patterns have been reported in 70% to 80% of MS patients.
Increased intrathecal Ig synthesis may occur in other inflammatory CSF diseases and, therefore this assay is not specific for MS.