CSF Culture

CSF Culture, Bacterial Meningitis, Spinal Fluid Culture

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB268

Department

Microbiology

Instructions

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is not routinely cultured for anaerobic organisms. Prior approval from the Microbiology Medical or Technical Director is required.
• CSF obtained from a shunt can be cultured for anaerobic organisms. If the specimen is from a shunt, this must be clearly noted on the test request.
• Transport the specimen to the laboratory as soon as possible.
• The proper collection of this specimen cannot be over-emphasized. Specimens which are improperly collected may yield misleading results.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Lumbar puncture: Collect CSF in order in sequentially numbered sterile tubes contained in the specimen collection kit. Tube #2 should be used for microbiology tests.

Shunt/Reservoir: Collect CSF in a sterile collection container, under aseptic conditions.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) and arrange for STAT transportation to the Laboratory. Courier Services must be contacted for a STAT pickup at 1-800-551-0488.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: STAT CSF in a sterile collection container, at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).

Rejection Criteria

• Unlabeled or improperly labeled specimens.
• Specimens in non-sterile containers.
• Leaking specimens.
• Specimens received after non-sterile handling in other departments.

Inpatient Specimen Preparation

Transport specimen STAT to the Laboratory.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Less than 24 hours*
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

*24 hours is the maximum acceptable stability. Specimen quality begins degrading sooner. Delays in transport to the laboratory should be minimized as much as possible.

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Preliminary gram stain results available within 8 hours from collection.

Reference Range

No organisms recovered.

Test Methodology

Gram Stain and Culture.

Interpretation

The recovery of microorganisms from an appropriate, properly collected specimen may be indicative of an infectious disease process.

Clinical Utility

This test is used to recover and identify microorganisms that may be involved in meningitis.

Reference

Church, D.L., 2016, Cerebrospinal Fluid Cultures, in Leber, A.L., Editor-in-Chief, Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, 4^th edition, section 3.7.1.

CPT Codes

87070 (Aerobic Culture), 87205 (Gram Stain).

Contacts

Last Updated

10/31/2025