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HelpTest Code BETA2 Beta-2 Transferrin: Detection of Spinal Fluid in Other Body Fluid
Reporting Name
Beta-2 Transferrin, BFUseful For
Detection of spinal fluid in body fluids, such as ear or nasal fluid
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
Body FluidAdditional Testing Requirements
If specimens are collected from multiple sites on the body (ie, left and right), each specimen must be sent under a separate order.
Necessary Information
Indicate specimen source. Include whether the source is from the right or left side of the body, if applicable.
Specimen Required
Specimen Type: Body fluid
Sources: Nasal, otic, wound, etc
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Sterile container, syringe, test tube, or microtube
Acceptable: Plain cotton swab or gauze
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. If submitting a syringe, remove needle. Add cap to end of syringe.
2. If direct collection is not feasible, specimen may be collected using a plain cotton swab or gauze.
3. If gauze is used to collect specimen, circle area on the gauze where specimen was collected.
4. Place cotton swab or gauze in as small a container as possible (eg, plain test tube or collection container).
5. Do not collect specimen with a culture swab.
6. Do not add any liquid to the swab or gauze.
Additional Information:
1. Specimens collected from above the shoulders risk salivary contamination, which can degrade the beta-2 transferrin protein. These specimens should be frozen immediately following collection and kept frozen until testing is performed.
2. Although results may be obtainable on smaller specimens (perhaps as little as 0.05 mL, depending on the protein concentrations and percentage of spinal fluid in the specimen), reliable results are best obtained with an adequate specimen volume.
3. Specimens collected with additives such as microbiology media (eg, Stuart or Amies liquid medium) or TransFix/EDTA (used for analyses in flow cytometry) yield uninterpretable results and will be rejected.
Specimen Minimum Volume
See Specimen Required
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body Fluid | Frozen (preferred) | ||
| Ambient | |||
| Refrigerated | |||
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
86335
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| BETA2 | Beta-2 Transferrin, BF | 13876-8 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 80351 | Beta-2 Transferrin, BF | 13876-8 |
Clinical Information
The diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea or otorrhea (leakage of CSF into the nose or ear canal, usually as a result of head trauma, tumor, congenital malformation, or surgery) is often difficult to confirm. Traditional chemical analyses (eg, glucose, protein, specific gravity) are unreliable. Radiographic studies, especially those involving the injection of dyes or radiographic compounds, are costly and may introduce additional risks to the patient.
Transferrin that migrates in the beta-1 electrophoretic fraction (beta-1 transferrin) is found in most body fluids. Beta-2 transferrin is a CSF-specific variant of transferrin and is used as an endogenous marker of CSF leakage. Beta-2 transferrin is formed by loss of sialic acid due to the presence of neuraminidase in the central nervous system. Beta-2 transferrin has also been called CSF-specific transferrin and tau protein.
Prompt diagnosis and localization facilitates appropriate decisions and decreases the risk of meningitis.
Cautions
Beta-2 transferrin is also found in aqueous humor and in serum of patients with rare metabolic glycoprotein disorders or genetic variants of transferrin.
Specimens stored in storage tubes with TransFix/EDTA (used for analyses in flow cytometry) are not acceptable. The contact of cerebrospinal fluid with the stabilization solution contained in these tubes changes the migration and the result cannot be interpreted.
Report Available
1 to 3 daysSpecimen Retention Time
14 daysMethod Name
Electrophoresis/Immunofixation