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HelpEpic Test Code LAB740 Oligoclonal Banding, Serum and Spinal Fluid
Additional Codes
MML Code: OLIG
LIS Code: OCLB
NY State Approved
YesPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Reporting Name
Oligoclonal BandingMethod Name
Isoelectric Focusing (IEF) with IgG Immunoblot Detection
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSF | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
| Ambient | 14 days | ||
| Frozen | 14 days | ||
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
| Ambient | 14 days | ||
| Frozen | 14 days |
Specimen Required
Both serum and spinal fluid are required. Spinal fluid must be obtained within 7 days of serum collection.
Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
2. Label specimen as serum.
Specimen Type: Spinal fluid
Container/Tube: Sterile vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Label specimen as spinal fluid.
Specimen Type
CSFSerum
Specimen Minimum Volume
Serum, Spinal Fluid: 0.4 mL
Reference Values
CSF Oligoclonal Bands Interpretation: <2 bands
Report Available
2 to 4 daysDay(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
CPT Code Information
83916 x 2
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Useful For
Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis; especially useful in patients with equivocal clinical presentation and radiological findings
Profile Information
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| OLIGS | Serum Bands | No | Yes |
| OLIGC | CSF Bands | No | Yes |
Clinical Information
The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is dependent on clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings. The detection of increased intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis is the basis for current diagnostic laboratory tests for MS. These tests include the measurement of kappa free light chains in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and CSF oligoclonal band (OCB) detection. Abnormal CSF OCB patterns have been reported in 70% to 80% of MS patients.
Increased intrathecal Ig synthesis may occur in other inflammatory CSF diseases and, therefore this assay is not specific for MS.
Interpretation
When the oligoclonal band assay detects 2 or more unique IgG bands in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the result is positive.
CSF is used in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) by identifying increased intrathecal IgG synthesis qualitatively (oligoclonal bands). The presence of 2 or more unique CSF oligoclonal bands was reintroduced as one of the diagnostic criteria for MS in the 2017 revised McDonald criteria. These findings, however, are not specific for MS as CSF-specific IgG synthesis may also be found in patients with other neurologic diseases including infectious, inflammatory, cerebrovascular, and paraneoplastic disorders. Clinical correlation recommended.
Cautions
This test is not specific for multiple sclerosis.
Supportive Data
In a cohort of 1307 patients analyzed in 2018, where 159 had demyelinating disease, the Mayo Clinic oligoclonal banding test had a clinical sensitivity of 74% and clinical specificity of 89%, with a ROC AUC of 0.813 when 2 or more unique cerebrospinal fluid bands are used as a cutoff for positive.