Collection of Cerebrospinal Fluid

CSF is used in the diagnosis of viral, bacterial, parasitic and fungal meningitis.
The specimen must be taken by a physician or a person experienced in the procedure.

Procedure

  • As only specially trained personnel should be involved in the collection of CSF samples, the method is not described in this document.
  • CSF is collected directly into the separate screw-cap tubes.
  • If the samples will not be promptly transported, separate tubes should be collected for bacterial and viral processing.

Handling and Transport

  • In general, specimens should be delivered to the laboratory and processed as soon as possible.
  • CSF specimens for bacteriology are transported at ambient temperature, generally with transport media.
  • Depending upon the test method used samples may or may not require refrigeration (many of the relevant pathogens do not survive well at low temperatures). Specimens for PCR testing can however be refrigerated. Please refer to CARPHA Medical Microbiology laboratory for additional information.
  • CSF specimens for virology do not need transport medium. They may be transported at 4-8oC for up to 48 hours, or at -70oC for longer periods.

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