CSF Culture

Synonyms

• CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
• CEREBROSPINAL FLUID
• CNS
• CRYPTOCOCCUS
• CSF CX
• CULTURE - CSF WITH GRAM STAIN
• CX CSF
• ENCEPHALITIS
• LAB268
• LP
• LUMBAR PUNCTURE
• MENINGITIS
• SHUNT
• SPINAL FLUID CULTURE

Cerner Name

CSF Culture/Gram Stain

Clinical Info

CSF culture is for the culture of common cerebrospinal fluid pathogens. All culture orders include Gram stain. For optimal sensitivity, "CSF Pathogen Panel Molecular Detection" should be ordered alongside CSF Culture.

Specimen Sources

Cerebrospinal Fluid Lumbar Puncture

Specimen Types

Body Fluid Cerebrospinal Fluid

Specimen Volume

Irretrievable specimen

Container

plastic screw-cap tube, sterile tube, spinal fluid collection tubes

Collection Instructions

Disinfect site with antiseptic. Using a sterile needle with stylet, -insert needle at L3, L4, L5, or L5-S1 interspace. After reaching subarachnoid space, remove stylet, and collect >1 mL (minimum volume: 1 mL) of spinal fluid. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
Maintain sterility and forward promptly at room temperature.

Transport Instructions

As soon as possible at Room Temperature

Specimen Stability

Transport to the lab as soon as possible. Do not refrigerate.

Methodology

Bacterial culture and Gram-stain
Gram-stain: all CSF specimen types.
Lumbar collection: examined for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria only, cultured for 5 days.
Shunt collection: examined for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, cultured for 14 days.
Routine isolation, identification procedures, and antibiotic susceptibility testing will be performed when appropriate.

Days Performed

Monday through Sunday

Performing Laboratories

Northwell Health Laboratories

CPT

87070 - culture
87205 - Gram stain
If culture is positive, additional charge(s)/CPT code(s) may apply for identification and/or antibiotic susceptibilities performed, as appropriate.

PDM

6201080

Results

Result Interpretation

Forms