CPT/HCPCS
87070, 87205
Order Code
CULTCSF
Turnaround Time
up to 14 days
Test Includes
Aerobic culture and Gram Stain. If culture is positive, identification will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87077 or 87140 or 87143 or 87147 or 87149). Antibiotic susceptibilities are only performed when appropriate (CPT code(s): 87181 or 87184 or 87185 or 87186).
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Source
CSF
Transport Container
(Specimen Container)
(Specimen Container)
Sterile, plastic screw-cap tube or Port-A-Cul® gel vial
Preferred Specimens
CSF
Collection Instructions
(Transport Temperature)
(Transport Temperature)
Transport at Room Temperature
Specimen Stability
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room temperature | Transport to the lab as soon as possible. |
| Refrigerated | Unacceptable |
| Frozen | Unacceptable |
Reject Criteria
Refrigerated specimen
Test Details
Clinical Significance
Cerebrospinal fluid cultures are of importance in the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis, an inflammation of the meninges. The most common causes of this life threatening condition are E. coli and Group B streptococci in neonates, H. influenzae (2 months 5 years), N. meningitidis (all ages, most common in older children and young adults) and S. pneumoniae (all ages).
