CSF Culture & Stain
Test Mnemonic
CSFCUL
CPT Codes
- 87205 - QTY (1)
- 87070 - QTY (1)
- 87015 - QTY (1)
LOINC ®
606-4
Performing Laboratory
Cleveland Clinic Laboratories
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mL | Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) | Sterile container | Ambient | Aseptically collect CSF from a lumbar puncture into sterile tubes. Send second tube to the Microbiology laboratory. Include specimen description (eg, LP, shunt) on requisition. Do not refrigerate specimens. CSF collected by means other than lumbar puncture (e.g. shunt, EVD, reservoir, etc.) should be placed into a sterile cup for transport. |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | 24 hours |
| Frozen | Unacceptable |
| Refrigerated | Unacceptable |
Days Performed
Sun - Sat
Turnaround Time
10 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Culture |
Reference Range
| CSF Culture & Stain | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| Culture: No growth; CSF Stain: No organisms seen. | |||||
| Gram Stain | |||||
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| ~ | No organisms seen |
Special Info
Aseptically collect CSF from a lumbar puncture into sterile tubes. Send second tube to the Microbiology laboratory. Include specimen description (eg, LP, shunt) on requisition. Do not refrigerate specimens. CSF collected by means other than lumbar puncture (e.g. shunt, EVD, reservoir, etc.) should be placed into a sterile cup for transport. CSF Gram stains are performed STAT (within 1 h of receipt in laboratory). If culture is positive, identification will be performed at an additional charge for clinically significant organisms. Identification CPT codes that may apply include: 87077, 87106, 87107, 87153, 87158. Antimicrobial susceptibilities are performed when indicated, and the following CPT codes may apply: 87181, 87184, 87185, 87186.
Clinical Info
If anaerobic infection associated with an indwelling device is suspected, also order an anaerobic culture (ANACUL) in addition to the aerobic culture (CSFCUL). An order for CSFCUL on a shunt specimen includes a broth culture incubated for 14 days to optimize recovery of Cutibacterium (Propionibacterium) acnes.