Analysis index

Basic program: 1 ml CSF

Extended program: CSF-serum pair with 2 ml CSF and serum each

Pathogen demonstration by PCR: 1 ml CSF in separate tube, CSF puncture as non-traumatic as possible, without blood admixture. For CSF-serum pair, simultaneous collection of the samples as far as possible (a time difference of up to 24 hours may be justifiable after prior consultation).

see below

Demonstration of infections in the central nervous system, assessment of the blood-CSF-barrier function, suspicion of inflammatory processes of infectious or autoimmune genesis in the central nervous system, auxiliary diagnostics of central nervous system tumors

Basic program
Cell count in CSF: Reference range: < 3 cells/µl
Total protein in CSF: Reference range: 30 mg/dl – 45 mg/dl
Glucose in CSF: Reference range: > 60 % of plasma glucose
Lactate in CSF: Reference range: 11 mg/dl – 19 mg/dl (1,2 mmol/l – 2,1 mmol/l)

Extended program
Albumin quotient IgG, IgA and IgM quotient
Demonstration of oligoclonal IgG
Indication: Assessment of the blood-CSF-barrier function, demonstration of an inflammatory reaction in the central nervous system

Reference range: Evaluation by Reiber diagram as per findings report

Infection serology in CSF:
Demonstration of a intrathecal synthesis of IgG and, if necessary, IgM antibodies against various pathogens (i.e. borrelia, herpes simplex, varicella zoster, syphilis, measles, mumps, CMV, EBV, HIV and others)
Reference range: Antibody index

Pathogen demonstration (direct) by PCR:
Recommended for HSV, VZV, EBV, HIV, CMV and enteroviruses
Material: 1 ml CSF (separate tube)
Reference range: as per findings report

CSF cytology will be carried out on site

Neural antibodies
Material: 1 ml CSF, 1 ml serum
Please also refer to section „neural antibodies“

Dementia markers
Please also refer to sections “Tau-protein”, “ß-amyloid 1-42”, “protein 14-3-3”

Further tests
Ferritin in CSF
Indication: Demonstration of subarachnoid bleed
Reference range: < 10 µg/l

Please also refer to: CSF diagnostics (bacteriological)