Multiple Sclerosis Panel 1 (Oligoclonal Bands), Serum and CSF

MS Panel, Multiple Sclerosis Panel, CSF Protein Electrophoresis, Protein Electrophoresis CSF, IgG Index, IgG Synthesis Rate, Oligoclonal Band, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1232387, Beaker: MultipleSPnl, Quest: 37581

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

• Testing requires both CSF and serum. Collect serum within 48 hours of CSF collection.
• This test includes: Albumin, Immunoglobulin G, IgG Index, IgG Synthesis Rate and Oligoclonal Bands.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) AND Blood.

• Cerebrospinal Fluid: 1.5 mL CSF in a sterile collection container. (Minimum: 1.0 mL) Tube #4 preferred.
• Blood: One Gold-top SST tube or one plain Red-top tube. (Minimum: 0.6 mL)

Blood sample MUST be drawn within 48 hours of CSF collection. Specimens need to be assayed together for interpretation.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let blood specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F). Maintain CSF refrigerated prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.5 mL CSF and 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.7 mL CSF and 0.5 mL serum)

Rejection Criteria

Submissions that do not include both a CSF and serum specimen will not be tested.

• Hemolyzed blood and CSF.
• Received room temperature.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Let blood specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F). Maintain CSF refrigerated prior to transport.

Transport: 1.5 mL CSF and 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.7 mL CSF and 0.5 mL serum)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 8 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Quest Diagnostics, Wood Dale, IL.

Performed

Sunday – Saturday.
Results available in 4-6 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Isoelectric Focusing (IFE), Nephelometry

CPT Codes

82040, 82042, 82784 x2, 83916.

Contacts

Last Updated

7/8/2026