Laboratory Medicine

Test catalogue

Oligoclonal Banding
Test Name Oligoclonal Banding This panel includes IgG Index and Albumin Index.
Specimen Type / Requirements Container Type = Sterile, screw-capped transport tube or CSF tube. Preferred volume to collect CSF: 1mL Preferred volume to collect Serum:: 1mL Minimum Testing Volume to collect: 0.5 mL CSF Min volume for serum specimen: 0.5 mL Neonate volume to collect: 0.5 mL CSF Tube 1: Cell count Tube 2: Glucose and protein, Oligoclonal Banding Tube 3: Gram stain and culture (C+S) or Virology Tube 4: Cell count/Flow Cytometry/cytology
Specimen Handling Collection Instructions: Collect CSF and a minimum of 1 mL serum. It is essential for interpretation of results to submit both specimens at the same time, but a serum sample of +/- 21 days of the spinal tap is acceptable as long as no treatment was started. Analyze specimens fresh whenever possible Laboratory Staff Instructions: Enter date and time collection in the LIS. Specify sample number in order comment. Stability: Stable for 4 days at room temperature, 14 days at 2-8°C and for 6 months at -20°C or lower temperature. Stable 3x freeze thaw cycles Transportation: Send to lab as soon as possible. Do not send via the pneumatic tube system.
Required Documentation
Turnaround Time (TAT) 7 days	Test Utilization
Reference Value Albumin, CSF:0.100 - 0.250 g/L IgG, CSF: < 0.060 g/L Albumin Index: < 0.9 IgG Index: < 70 IgG/Albumin Ratio: < 0.250 CSF-specific bands: 2+ bands
Test Code LAB740	Methodology Isoelectric Focusing (IEF)
Testing Location SMH-Biochemistry	Other Information Last Updated: July 13, 2026

Oligoclonal Banding

Test Name

Oligoclonal Banding

This panel includes IgG Index and Albumin Index.

Specimen Type / Requirements

Container Type = Sterile, screw-capped transport tube or CSF tube.

Preferred volume to collect CSF: 1mL
Preferred volume to collect Serum:: 1mL

Minimum Testing Volume to collect: 0.5 mL CSF
Min volume for serum specimen: 0.5 mL

Neonate volume to collect: 0.5 mL CSF

Tube 1: Cell count
Tube 2: Glucose and protein, Oligoclonal Banding
Tube 3: Gram stain and culture (C+S) or Virology
Tube 4: Cell count/Flow Cytometry/cytology

Specimen Handling

Collection Instructions: Collect CSF and a minimum of 1 mL serum. It is essential for interpretation of results to submit both specimens at the same time, but a serum sample of +/- 21 days of the spinal tap is acceptable as long as no treatment was started. Analyze specimens fresh whenever possible

Laboratory Staff Instructions: Enter date and time collection in the LIS. Specify sample number in order comment.

Stability: Stable for 4 days at room temperature, 14 days at 2-8°C and for 6 months at -20°C or lower temperature. Stable 3x freeze thaw cycles

Transportation: Send to lab as soon as possible. Do not send via the pneumatic tube system.

Required Documentation

Turnaround Time (TAT)

7 days

Test Utilization

Reference Value

Albumin, CSF:0.100 - 0.250 g/L
IgG, CSF: < 0.060 g/L
Albumin Index: < 0.9
IgG Index: < 70
IgG/Albumin Ratio: < 0.250
CSF-specific bands: 2+ bands

Test Code

LAB740

Methodology

Isoelectric Focusing (IEF)

Testing Location

SMH-Biochemistry

Other Information

Last Updated: July 13, 2026