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North West London Pathology > Tests > Oligoclonal Studies

Oligoclonal Studies

Category Biochemistry >> Proteins
Test background

Oligoclonal banding analysis is used to aid diagnosis of several neurological disorders, principally that of the demyelinating diseases multiple sclerosis (MS) and Guillain-Barré syndrome. The presence of two or more IgG bands in CSF that are not present in serum constitutes a positive test. Typically about 90 % of MS patients show oligoclonal banding in their CSF.
Clinical Indications

Oligoclonal banding is associated with MS, Guillain-Barré, SLE, SAH, neurosarcoidosis, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, CNS lymphoma and syphilis.
Reference range
CSF IgG <40 mg/L
CSF albumin <320 mg/L
CSF:IgG/alb <0.25
CSF/serum (IgG/albumin) <0.85
Qualitative isoelectric focusing for oligoclonal IgG
Sample & container required CSF (plain universal) and SST (gold top) or serum (red top)
Sample volume 0.5mL of each CSF and serum
Sample collection

Freshly collected CSF with a concomitant serum (preferably collected on the same day or within 48hrs with a maximum of ±5days).
Turnaround time 2 weeks
Notes

Please note that a full interpretation may not be possible where CSF samples are received with no concomitant serum. In addition, when CSF and serum samples are not received together (i.e. in the same sample bag), there may be a delay in analysis.

Blood contaminated CSF is unsuitable.