Test/Investigation
Bacterial isolates of clinical significance including antimicrobial sensitivity testing: Cerebrospinal Fluid General
Site(s) or Laboratory offering Test/Investigation
NNUH
Comments/Precautions
CSF samples should ideally be processed within 2 hours of collection to ensure reliability of cell count. Please ensure samples requiring urgent microscopy are transported to the Microbiology lab at NNUH within the specified time to avoid sample degradation. See Out of hours document for transport information. NB - Xanthochromia testing is performed by Blood sciences NNUH, NOT Microbiology.
Ideal sample age for accurate results/Maximum acceptable sample age (at the time of analysis)
Processing within 2 hours
Sample type
CSF in sterile container
Turnaround times (TAT) Urgent/Routine/GP or OPD
3 days
If UKAS Accredited Test indicate at which site
NNUH